Farmers’ Protest in Agartala: Demands for Fair Crop Prices and Support

Agartala, Jun 28, 2024, By Our Correspondent

Agartala, June 28: The All Bharat Krishak Sabha State Committee staged a protest march in Agartala city, demanding immediate legal guarantees for a minimum C2 + 50 percent support price for crops. The demonstration targeted the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Pavitra Kar, Secretary of the All Bharat Krishak Sabha State Committee, expressed concern about the dire condition of farmers in the state, whose income sources have been devastated due to crop losses.*

Over the past few months, three natural calamities have inflicted heavy losses on farmers, resulting in widespread crop destruction. In response, Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha, Agriculture Minister Ratanlal Nath, the State Chief Secretary, and Agriculture Department officials met with representatives from Sara Bharat Krishak Sabha to discuss cooperation for affected farmers. However, despite these efforts, farmers are yet to receive adequate support.

To amplify their demands, the organization has organized a protest program, which will extend to other districts of the state from July 5 to July 7.

Recently, the Government of India fixed minimum support prices for crops during the Kharif season. Among these crops, paddy is a key staple in Tripura. The government set the paddy price at 23 rupees per kilogram. However, the All India Krishak Sabha, advocating for farmers, contends that according to Narendra Modi’s 2014 formula, the price should be Rs 30.12 per kilogram. Surprisingly, the state government is not accepting the central government’s fixed price of 23 rupees, instead purchasing paddy at only 21 rupees per kilogram.

The organized protest march also saw the participation of CPIM West District Committee Secretary Ratan Das and other leaders.