SKM announces nationwide stir from May 27, calls for burning of MSP order copies

The Samyukt Kisan Morcha has announced a nationwide agitation starting May 27, protesting the Centre's minimum support price order and alleged mishandling of the fertiliser situation.

The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) on Friday announced a nationwide agitation beginning May 27, calling upon farmer unions and agricultural workers to burn copies of the Centre's recent minimum support price (MSP) order and the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) report on price policy for the 2026-27 Kharif season.

The CACP is an expert advisory body under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, and is responsible for recommending MSPs for notified crops during Kharif and Rabi seasons.

In a press note issued here following a virtual press conference, the SKM accused the Centre of imposing a ''fraudulent'' MSP regime, burdening farmers through fuel price hikes and mishandling the fertiliser situation, announcing demonstrations against rising costs of fertilisers and diesel, and alleged inaction over black marketing.

The farmers' body, that had led the 2021-22 farmers' agitation at Delhi's borders, said it would intensify protests against the Union government over the announced MSP structure for the 2026-27 Kharif season, the recent increase in fuel prices, and the worsening fertiliser situation.

The SKM alleged that the Centre had failed to protect farmers' interests by not ensuring adequate availability of urea and DAP (Diammonium Phosphate) fertilisers ahead of the Kharif season and accused it of pursuing foreign and economic policies that, according to the organisation, had worsened fuel and fertiliser costs.

Calling the recently announced MSP for Kharif crops a ''fraud'', the SKM claimed that the government had not adopted the formula recommended by the National Commission on Farmers headed by M S Swaminathan, which proposed MSP at comprehensive cost (C2) plus 50 per cent of profit margin.

The farmers' body alleged that the government, through the CACP, continued to rely on cost calculations that undervalued farmers' production expenses and labour, terming it ''organised loot''.

The organisation also targeted the Centre over the recent rise in fuel prices, claiming farmers were being forced to bear excessive taxation on diesel despite its essential role in agriculture.

It demanded diesel for tractors and agricultural purposes at tax-free or subsidised rates through withdrawal of levies such as the Road and Infrastructure Cess and other duties.

On fertilisers, the SKM criticised the Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) policy, alleging that it had led to sharp increases in prices of DAP and potash while creating shortages and fueling black marketing of urea.

The farmers' body further accused the Centre of undermining federal principles by allegedly coercing states against offering MSP bonuses while simultaneously allowing higher procurement prices in some BJP-ruled states.

Raising concerns over the proposed India-US trade arrangements, the SKM alleged that allowing cheaper agricultural imports from the United States would adversely affect Indian farmers competing against heavily subsidised foreign agriculture.

It reiterated a series of demands, including a legal guarantee for MSP at C2 plus 50 per cent with universal procurement, rollback of fuel price hikes, reduction in fertiliser prices, withdrawal of the NBS policy, respect for states' powers on agricultural pricing and taxation, and an immediate waiver of loans for agricultural workers.

As part of its mobilisation plan, the organisation announced that its national council meeting would be held on June 17 and an all-India convention on July 28 in New Delhi to decide future programmes and coordinate nationwide struggles on farmers' demands.

The Centre has maintained that MSPs are fixed after considering recommendations of the CACP and various economic factors, while fertiliser subsidies and fuel pricing are periodically reviewed in line with broader economic considerations.