More than 2,000 farmers carrying clothes, bedding and enough food for a week crossed police barricades and reached the outskirts of Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, on Tuesday night. They are now preparing to march to Chief Minister Mohan Yadav's residence in Shyamala Hills, demanding 100% procurement of the moong crop and the removal of the e-token system used for crop procurement and fertiliser distribution.
The protest comes as leaders of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) met Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) national spokesperson Rakesh Tikait in New Delhi to discuss creating a joint platform for farmers, students and youth. Tikait had played a key role in the 2020-21 farmers' protests that led to the repeal of the Centre's three farm laws.
Several Gen Z supporters also joined the protest in Bhopal to express solidarity with the farmers, according to MP Tak.
As reported by Aaj Tak Digital, the farmers began their march from Narmadapuram district, around 80 km from Bhopal, on Monday under the banner of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha. Carrying the national flag and raising slogans such as "Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan", they reached the city's outskirts after travelling overnight and set up camp near Savarkar Bridge, around 8 km from the chief minister's residence.
Following their arrival, the Madhya Pradesh government held its first round of talks with farmer representatives, but the discussions ended without any agreement. A ministerial committee has since been formed to continue negotiations, with another meeting scheduled for Wednesday evening.
Agriculture Minister Aidal Singh Kansana also wrote to Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan requesting an increase in the approved procurement limit for moong. Chouhan responded that the Centre had already sanctioned the highest procurement allocation for Madhya Pradesh and said any procurement beyond the approved quantity would have to be funded by the state government.
According to The Indian Express, the farmers pushed past several police barricades during the march, including at Sethani Ghat and the Mandideep border between Bhopal and Raisen districts.
By Wednesday afternoon, protesters remained gathered in Bhopal's Maharana Pratap Nagar and were preparing to march towards the chief minister's residence, with many saying they would not return until their demands were accepted.
Farmers' demands
The protesting farmers are seeking 100% procurement of moong at the Minimum Support Price (MSP), resolution of issues related to the e-token system and timely supply of affordable fertilisers.
Unlike urad, tur and masur, which are procured entirely at MSP, moong is purchased under the Price Support Scheme (PSS), where procurement is limited to 25% of a state's estimated production.
According to The Economic Times, Madhya Pradesh has recorded a bumper moong harvest this season. Farmers are expected to produce around 20.16 lakh metric tonnes from 14.30 lakh hectares, but the Centre has approved procurement of only 4.54 lakh metric tonnes under the PSS.
Moong is widely cultivated as a summer crop in districts including Harda, Narmadapuram, Sehore, Dewas, Raisen, Vidisha, Ujjain, Indore, Dhar, Khandwa and Khargone.
Farmer organisations argue that the state's procurement limit of 1.2 quintals per acre is far below the average production of 4-5 quintals per acre, forcing them to sell the remaining crop in the open market.
While the MSP for moong is ₹8,668 per quintal, farmers say they are often forced to sell surplus produce for ₹4,000-₹5,000 per quintal, resulting in losses of around ₹3,000-₹4,000 per quintal.
Along with full procurement, the protesters are demanding that the e-token system be scrapped or significantly reformed.
Talks fail, Centre and state exchange letters
After the farmers reached Bhopal, Agriculture Minister Aidal Singh Kansana held a one-hour meeting with Samyukta Kisan Morcha representatives, but the talks failed to produce a breakthrough.
Kansana later wrote to Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, requesting that the procurement target be raised to 8 lakh metric tonnes, citing higher-than-expected production. He noted that 4.19 lakh metric tonnes had already been procured and argued that Madhya Pradesh, which contributes nearly 40% of India's moong production, deserved a higher procurement limit.
In his response to Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, Chouhan said the Centre had already approved procurement of 4.54 lakh metric tonnes for Madhya Pradesh—the highest allocation in the country and 87% of the national approval under the PM-AASHA scheme. He clarified that the Centre only approves procurement of up to 25% of a state's estimated production and does not fix procurement targets.
Chouhan also urged the state government to speed up procurement, pointing out that only around 60,000 metric tonnes had been purchased by July 29 despite the approved quota. He added that the state was free to procure additional quantities using its own resources.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav announced the formation of a ministerial committee to continue discussions with the protesters. Congress leader and former chief minister Kamal Nath also wrote to Yadav, accusing the government of failing to address farmers' concerns.
Farmers prepare to march, security tightened
A protesting farmer told Aaj Tak Digital that the group intended to surround Chief Minister Mohan Yadav's residence while maintaining a peaceful and democratic protest. He alleged that the administration had repeatedly tried to stop the march and had treated the protesters unfairly.
The farmers also accused the government of attempting to discredit their movement. They insisted they had no intention of damaging public property or harming officials and appealed to the administration not to block their march.
The protesters, who carried enough food to last a week, have been cooking meals such as dal-bati and roasted potatoes on roadside stoves and charcoal fires.
According to MP Tak, several Gen Z supporters have also joined the protest in Bhopal.
The demonstrations come shortly after CJP leaders met Rakesh Tikait in Delhi to discuss building a broader alliance of farmers, students and youth against the Narendra Modi-led government. Tikait had previously backed the CJP's student protests at Delhi's Jantar Mantar and visited the protest site several times.
As the farmers continue their agitation, security around Chief Minister Mohan Yadav's residence has been significantly strengthened. Police have established multiple security layers, erected barricades on major routes and deployed personnel from 20 police stations, along with units of the Rapid Action Force, the Special Action Force, water cannons and other crowd-control equipment.
