Summer maize arrivals in Karnal district grain markets have accelerated, reaching 3,58,610 quintals by June 23, compared to 1,89,864 quintals in the same period last year, according to official data. Despite the substantial increase, farmers are expressing disappointment over the lack of government procurement at the Minimum Support Price (MSP) and are urging the state government to initiate procurement.
Farmers forced to sell below MSP
Farmers allege that they are being compelled to sell their produce to private traders at prices ranging between Rs 1,100 and Rs 2,000 per quintal, significantly lower than the MSP of Rs 2,410 per quintal announced for maize. The absence of government procurement for summer maize has left them vulnerable to exploitation and raised concerns about heavy financial losses.
Bahadur Singh Mehla, spokesperson of BKU (Sir Chhotu Ram), alleged that the government has failed to provide timely procurement facilities to maize growers. He pointed out that while farmers are encouraged to shift from paddy cultivation to maize and other alternative crops, adequate procurement arrangements are not made once the produce reaches the markets.
Market-wise arrival data
The Karnal grain market recorded the highest arrival with 1,63,724 quintals, followed by Indri with 97,500 quintals. Gharaunda reported arrivals of 67,116 quintals, while Nissing and Kunjpura recorded 26,935 quintals and 3,335 quintals, respectively, according to the data.
“The government announces an MSP for maize every year, but when farmers bring their produce to the grain markets, there is no effective procurement mechanism in place. As a result, they are compelled to sell their crop at throwaway prices,” Mehla said. “We demand the government to procure summer maize at MSP,” he added.
Farmers seek legal guarantee for MSP
Sukhjinder Singh, a farmer, said the government should procure all categories of maize — Kharif, Rabi and Summer — at MSP. He alleged that such policies are preventing farmers from receiving the intended benefits of MSP-based procurement. “Merely announcing the MSP is not enough. The government must provide a legal guarantee and ensure 100 per cent procurement of maize in all mandis,” he said.
Dr Virender Singh Lather, former Principal Scientist at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi, noted that while Kharif and Rabi maize are procured at MSP, summer maize is not. “We are surprised that summer maize is not being procured at MSP. Farmers are left with no option but to sell their produce to private traders at prices far below the support price,” he said.
Expert advice on alternative crops
Dr Lather added that the lack of government procurement has left maize growers at the mercy of private buyers, causing considerable distress among farmers who have invested heavily in the crop. He urged the government to consider farmers' demands and extend MSP procurement to summer maize as well.
Meanwhile, Dr Lather advised farmers to consider cultivating summer moong instead of summer maize. He explained that maize is a water-intensive crop requiring more than 15 irrigations during the summer season, while summer moong requires only three to four irrigations. Additionally, moong cultivation helps improve soil fertility.
An official of the Haryana State Agricultural Marketing Board (HSAMB) stated that the decision on procurement is made at the government level, not at the market committee level.
