Jaipur: Farmers in Rajasthan’s border districts of Sriganganagar and Hanumangarh have begun protests alleging irregularities in wheat procurement under the Minimum Support Price (MSP) scheme, claiming mismanagement at procurement centres is blocking genuine cultivators from receiving government support. Kisan Sangarh Samiti said it will stage a demonstration outside the Sriganganagar district collectorate on Monday, where more than 500 farmers are expected to gather with tractor trolleys carrying wheat that has not been sold at MSP.Farmers have staged demonstrations outside procurement centres and spilled wheat on roads, highlighting complaints that include shortages of bardana (gunny sacks used for packing wheat for MSP procurement), inadequate arrangements, and alleged favouritism that benefits influential traders. They are demanding higher procurement quotas, priority for registered farmers, and transparent distribution of bardana along with fair acceptance of wheat stocks.The agitation comes as Rajasthan offers a higher effective procurement rate than nearby states. For the 2025-26 rabi marketing season, wheat MSP is Rs 2,425 per quintal, and Rajasthan’s bonus of Rs 150 raises the effective price to Rs 2,575 per quintal. Farmer leaders say that despite registration, many are still unable to sell.“Many farmers who registered for MSP are yet to sell their wheat because of favouritism at procurement centres run by influential traders and lapses in quality control,” said Vinod Jakar of the Kisan Sangarsh Samiti.Farmers also allege wheat is being brought from Punjab and Uttar Pradesh to exploit Rajasthan’s higher rate. “Those distributing bardana…are favouring local traders and even traders from Punjab,” alleged farmer leader Subash Sehgal.Others claim delays and weather pressures push sales below MSP, and that documents are being misused by ineligible sellers, including seed producers.
