Farmers' Union Demands Loan Waivers and Legal MSP Guarantees

The Bhartiya Kisan Union (Ambawata) has called on the central government to waive all farm loans and provide a legal guarantee of the minimum support price (MSP) to improve farmers' income. They also demand increased subsidies on farm inputs and pension provisions for elderly farmers.

A faction of the farmers' union on Tuesday urged the central government to waive all farm loans and provide a legal guarantee for the minimum support price (MSP) to uplift farmers' incomes.

Rishipal Ambawata, the National President of Bhartiya Kisan Union (Ambawata), emphasized the need for increased subsidies on essential farm inputs like seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides.

''Farm loans should be waived for all farmers across India,'' Ambawata stated during a press briefing. Additionally, he called for enhanced procurement at the MSP and expressed concerns over the escalating prices of the herbicide 'Glufosinate,' demanding a rollback on the price hike.

The union plans to hold a rally in Lucknow on August 10 to highlight these demands. Ambawata, who met Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan earlier this month, remains hopeful that the government will address these issues positively. The association, boasting around 1.5 lakh members, also advocates for a pension scheme for elderly farmers.