Eye on Maharashtra polls, Centre gives nod to procure soyabean with high moisture

New Delhi: Ahead of Maharashtra’s assembly election polling, the Centre has allowed procurement of soyabean with 15 per cent moisture as against the standard 12 per cent. 

The Union Ministry of Agriculture move comes as low prices of the oilseeds and tardy government procurement has fueled anger among farmers in Vidarbha and Marathwada regions of the state.

The office order, issued by Binod Giri, deputy commissioner (MPS) Ministry of Agriculture, on Friday said that the department has no objection to “allow moisture content in Soybean upto 15 % (prescribed FAQ percentage upto 12%) for procurement under PSS (Price Support Scheme – under which the Central government procures commodities under their declared Minimum Support Price (MSP) during Kharif 2024-25 season as a one-time measure subject to the condition that all expenses/losses incurred on account of procurement of stock with moisture content upto 15% (prescribed FAQ percentage upto 12%) shall be borne by the respective state governments in the larger interest of the farmers.”

Apart from Maharashtra, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Telangana are major soyabean growing states and order is applicable to all states. 

Soyabean, a major cash crop in poll-bound Maharashtra, has caused much unrest among farmers due to the lower realisation in the open market. 

Problem faced by soyabean growing farmers is political issue in Maharashtra where Congress and other Opposition parties attacking ruling government alleging neglecting agrarian crisis. 

Earlier slamming the Mahayuti government, the Congress on Thursday claimed that Maharashtra has purchased only 3,888 metric tonnes of soyabean while Telangana has procured nearly 25,000 metric tonnes of it, asserting that this is the difference between "those who are committed to farmer welfare and those who are committed to their own purse and power”.