Jaipur: Farmers in Rajasthan have said that though mustard has begun arriving in markets, the state govt is yet to start procurement under the Minimum Support Price (MSP) scheme.Kisan Mahapanchayat president Rampal Jat said MSP is effective only if the govt ensures full procurement from farmers.Jat also questioned the timing of wheat procurement, which the govt announced will begin from March 15, when wheat harvesting has not even started yet in many areas.Calling the move disconnected from ground realities, Jat said farmers have consistently demanded that mustard procurement begin from Feb 1 so they can receive MSP as soon as the crop arrives in markets.“Announcing MSP without ensuring procurement is like making a hollow declaration,” Jat said, adding that farmers cannot benefit unless there is a proper system to purchase produce.He said delays or lack of procurement force farmers to sell in the open market at prices lower than MSP.
