The Left Front Parliamentary Party in West Bengal today demanded adequate Minimum Support Price (MSP) for paddy to protect the farmers from making losses against sale of their produce.
"The farmers in the state are not getting adequate price for paddy and thus making losses. We demand the state government to act immediately by announcing adequate MSP for paddy to protect the farmers from distress sale," leader of the six-member LFPP delegation Anisur Rahaman urged in a memorandum to the state's Agriculture Minister Malay Ghatak.
"The MSP of paddy, which was Rs 1285 per quintal in 2012-13, has been increased to only Rs 1310 in 2013-14," Rahaman said, adding this was not adequate compared to the cost of production incurred by the farmers.
The delegation also demanded the state government to purchase the produce directly from the farmers through Self-Help Groups and cooperative bodies, besides making adequate arrangement of storage facility.
In this regard an advisory committee could be formed to enhance the procurement process, Rahaman said.
The delegation also demanded implementation of recommendations by Dr Swaminathan Commission in the interest of the farmers.
