Peanut Farmers in Bikaner Struggle as MSP Not Yet Accessible

Bikaner, Rajasthan: Peanut farmers in Rajasthan’s Bikaner division are facing a major crisis as they are being forced to sell their crop at prices far below the government-set Minimum Support Price (MSP). While the MSP for peanuts has been fixed at ₹7,263 per quintal, farmers are compelled to sell their produce at ₹5,000–6,000 per quintal due to delays in operationalizing procurement centers.

Limited Procurement Centers Causing Distress

The government had announced peanut procurement at MSP from 24 November, setting up 43 centers across Bikaner. However, only 14 centers are currently functional. Technical glitches and staff shortages have prevented many farmers from completing the necessary registration, blocking their access to MSP sales. The issue is not confined to Bikaner alone—farmers in Ganganagar, Hanumangarh, Churu, and Phalodi are facing similar challenges.

Farmers Forced to Sell at Lower Prices

Local farmer Radheshyam Vishnoi expressed disappointment, saying, “We had high hopes from the government. They assured MSP procurement, but technical failures and administrative negligence delayed the process. Even those who completed registration are unable to sell their crop on time. The lack of staff and weighing machines in mandis forces farmers to wait for four to five days, causing immense frustration.”

Authorities Pledge Quick Resolution

Kartikeya Mishra, General Manager of RajFed, acknowledged complaints regarding registration issues in some districts. He stated that the registration process was temporarily halted to prevent misuse and ensure proper checks. District Collectors have been instructed to resolve registration problems promptly and prevent fraudulent practices. Mishra assured that all arrangements would be corrected by 1 December, and farmers would soon be able to sell their produce at the MSP.