Maharashtra traders to resume buying of kharif crop without committing to pay MSP

Traders from across Maharashtra, who had boycotted buying of kharif crops for more than a week, have decided to resume trade from Tuesday. However, they will not buy produce at minimum support price (MSP) if not affordable.

Traders from across the state had gathered in Pune to take a call on their agitation. They were fiercely proposing to keep trade suspended till government cancelled the proposed changes.

“We have given time of one month to the government to come clear on the proposed changes to Maharashtra Agricultural Produce Marketing (Development and Regulation Act), 1963 stipulating jail term for traders if they don’t buy at MSP,” said Valchand Sancheti, president, Federation of Association of Traders (Maharashtra), Pune.


“Government is trying to appease farmers at the cost of traders,” said Sancheti.

Farmers have also supported traders in their demands. Anil Ghanvat, president, Shetkari Sangathana said, “Government should get away from all trading of agricultural produce. Government buys only export quality produce at MSP. Who will buy the second and third grade produce if traders are forced to pay FRP for it?”

The farmer producer organisations who do direct marketing buying produce directly from farmers too expressed their inability to do procurement operations at MSP.

Yogesh Thorat, managing director, Maharashtra Farmers Producer Company (Mahafpc) said, “We were going to begin procurement of moong. But had to stop it due to compulsion to pay MSP.”

The state government had suspended licenses of about 20 traders, who had refused to buy at MSP. They have demanded cancellation of this action.