Latest news with #Ugrahan
Hindustan Times
09-06-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Punjab: Farmers resist shift to early-maturing paddy amid procurement concerns
Farmers in Punjab are expressing reluctance to adopt early-maturing paddy varieties such as PR126, citing concerns over the government's procurement timeline that, they say, does not align with the crop's harvest period. Paddy sowing in districts such as Sangrur, Ludhiana, Malerkotla, Mansa, Moga, Barnala, Patiala, Kapurthala, Jalandhar and Nawanshahr commenced on Monday. Despite a state-imposed ban on long-duration paddy varieties, farmers have continued sowing the water-guzzling, long-duration PUSA 44 variety. The state government has advised farmers for a shift to short-duration varieties like PR126 and PR121. These varieties mature 15-20 days earlier than PUSA 44, offering benefits like reduced groundwater use and less stubble burning. However, farmers argue that the early harvest of these new varieties does not align with the government's procurement timeline, which typically begins in October. 'If we sow PR126, it will be ready by September, but there won't be any procurement in the mandis at that time,' said a farmer from Laddi village in Sangrur. 'Last year, our crops went unsold and got damaged. This will happen again,' he added. The government's policy aims to address the growing environmental crisis, including water scarcity and air pollution caused by late-harvest paddy. But farmers remain skeptical, citing last year's experience, where those who adopted PR126 faced procurement delays, leading to financial losses. Agricultural experts and farm bodies have urged the state and central governments to adjust procurement schedules or create dedicated channels for early-maturing varieties. 'Promoting a new crop variety without addressing market linkage issues will only deepen farmer distress,' said an agriculture economist. BKU (Ekta-Ugrahan) president Joginder Singh Ugrahan emphasized the growing distrust between farmers and the government. 'The government shouldn't dictate what we grow,' he said. 'Sheller owners prefer PUSA 44 due to its higher rice recovery rate, which is why they buy it readily. Without MSP guarantees for alternative varieties like basmati, there's no incentive to shift,' he added. Ugrahan also raised concerns about the government's push to replace paddy with maize. 'What if the new crop yields poorly? Will the government compensate us?' he asked. He called for a more farmer-centric approach, suggesting that the government offer an MSP for basmati rice, which could provide a viable alternative to both PUSA 44 and maize. Responding to these concerns, Sangrur chief agriculture officer Dharminderjit Singh assured that the government's procurement system would adjust to early-harvested crops. 'The crops will be procured when the mandis open. There is no issue with the government's procurement process,' he said. Singh admitted that the government does not currently have a compensation plan for farmers who face losses from sowing alternative varieties. He added that these newer paddy varieties incur lower costs due to their natural resistance to pests, reducing the need for expensive sprays.
Hindustan Times
09-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Punjab: Not MSP, low input cost is Ugrahan group's focus now
Bhartiya Kisan Union (Ekta-Ugrahan), a farm body based in Malwa belt of Punjab that has the largest support base in the state, has sidestepped from seeking a hike in the minimum support price (MSP) for all crops. Now, Joginder Singh Ugrahan-led BKU is seeking reduction in input cost, such as fall in prices of diesel, agro-chemical, pesticides, seeds and the other key inputs for agriculture. A former vice-chancellor of Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, who didn't wish to be named, said, 'The change is cause of concern because the farm bodies which have been at the forefront are backstepping.' The BKU (Ekta-Ugrahan) had led a year-long farm protest on Tikri (Haryana-Delhi) border in 2020 against the now-repealed three farm laws because of its sheer strength and the rest of the farm bodies were at Singhu borders. During another year-long protest by BKU (Ekta-Sidhupur) led by Jagjeet Singh Dallewal and Kisan Mazdoor Sangarsh Committee led by Sarwan Singh Pandher at Shambu and Khanauri border points, the BKU (Ugrahan) though offered support from outside but stayed away from active participation. At both the protests, increase in the MSP remained the key focus. Since AAP government took over in the state in March 2022 Ugrahan-led farm body has held a series of meetings with chief minister Bhagwant Mann for acceptance of farmers' demand. The central theme of the meeting was MSP on all crops and as a legal guarantee. According to Ugrahan, beyond a point, the increase in MSP can't be sought as it will lead to increase in prices of foodgrain, making it out of the reach of poor and marginal classes. According to the farm bodies other than the BKU (Ekta-Ugrahan), the fall in prices of inputs for agriculture is next to impossible as the central government has no direct control over petrol/diesel, agro chemicals and pesticides, as corporate control these inputs. BKU (Dakounda) Jagmohan Singh general secretary has said the demand of the farm bodies has always been MSP hike on all crops and any deviation means back stabbing the farmers. 'All factions should stick to the demand for hike in MSP as per MS Swaminathan's recommendation for 50% profit over the input cost,' said Jagmohan Singh. Meanwhile, Ugrahan justified his group's stand, stating, 'Not only farmers, we have to think about all the sections of society, particularly the poor. In case there is an increase in MSP, it will lead to inflation. So to benefit the farmers, the cost of agriculture inputs should be kept under check.' On being asked about the changed stance of the BKU (Ekta-Ugrahan), he said the scenario has changed. 'We have to adjust to the changing scenario, but we will continue to fight for the farmers' welfare,' he added. The BKU (Ekta-Ugrahan) has been maintaining a low profile for about two years and is only engaged in symbolic protests. 'We will soon come out with a plan for a long drawn protest for the rights of the farmers,' the group stated.
Hindustan Times
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
BKU protests in Bathinda, accused govt of suppressing their voice
The Bhartiya Kisan Union (Ekta Ugrahan) staged a protest outside the Bathinda district administrative complex (DAC) against the Punjab government on Monday. Union president Joginder Singh Ugrahan said the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government is oppressing the rights of farmers as they are not being allowed to raise their voice in support of their issues. He said the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government is working for corporate houses by acquiring land in rural areas with inadequate compensation to farmers. Ugrahan alleged the state government is trying to forcibly evict the cultivators at Jeond village in Bathinda to benefit the landowners.
