SKM calls for protests against rise in prices of fertilisers, diesel

Bathinda: Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) has accused the central govt of not protecting farmers' needs of urea and DAP. The govt has deliberately faltered on foreign policy by failing to ensure the supply of cheap crude oil, natural gas and LPG to secure the supply of diesel and fertiliser to farmers. It is raising fuel prices, burdening the farmers and threatening food security. Natural farming, as appealed by the Prime Minister, will reduce crop output by at least 30%. Agriculture minister has openly declared a shortage of fertilisers to encourage black marketeers. The govt is unrepentant about stopping imports from Iran and Russia at the behest of US imperialism, stated SKM in a release on Friday.SKM has decided to launch a three-pronged attack against the union govt while condemning the inadequate increase in Minimum Support Price (MSP) of kharif crops, fraud, hike of Rs 3.90 per litre in petrol-diesel price, and the crippling fertiliser crisis as a coordinated, premeditated assault on India's farming community, stating the govt has surrendered to corporate lobbies, US imperialism and global agri-chemical cartels.SKM stated that the govt, through CACP, continues to use an outdated 2011-12 Wholesale Price Index (WPI), which the union govt already froze in 2023-24 with the introduction of 2017-18 as the new base year with different weights. The CACP's reliance on national averages and three-year yield smoothing systematically undervalues production costs, and farmers' own labour is priced at the lowest wage. Most critically, the govt refuses to adopt the Swaminathan Commission formula of C2 + 50% (comprehensive cost plus 50% profit), instead using a truncated base (A2+FL) that delivers a fraction of the legitimate price.MSP is less by Rs 2,357 per quintal for cotton, Rs 2,545 from tur, while the govt calls this a support. Between 2016 and 2025, farmers of 20 major crops lost Rs 27 lakh crore, transferred to millers, exporters and middlemen. For kharif 2025-26 alone, losses from just four crops (paddy, cotton, soybean and maize) totalled Rs 2.64 lakh crore, and even 83% of farmers never receive MSP.SKM demanded that diesel for tractors and agricultural purposes should be made available at subsidised rates by withdrawing the road and infrastructure cess (RIC) of Rs 36/litre, Special Additional Excise Duty (SAED) of Rs 24/litre, and state VAT ranging between 15-26%, thereby farmers pay Rs 56,500 crore per year in unjust taxes.SKM stated under the Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) policy, the central govt has cut the fertiliser subsidy, doubling prices of potash and also raising urea prices. DAP price has soared from Rs 1,200/bag (2014) to over Rs 2,400/bag (2026), MOP (Potash) sells at Rs 2,000-2,500/bag and urea is perpetually in shortage, forcing farmers to buy at nearly Rs 500-700/45kg bag. NBS subsidy policy is to free up market prices with only a limited and fixed govt subsidy.SKM demanded legal guarantee of MSP at C2+50% with universal procurement. Immediately rollback of petrol-diesel price hike and immediately make diesel available at tax-free rates for tractors and agricultural purposes. Reduce hiked rates of fertilisers, rollback NBS, guarantee availability at fixed price. Withdraw from India-US Interim Trade Deal, reject all WTO pressures on MSP. Respect states' constitutional powers, no coercion or Central Pool withdrawal to punish bonus-paying states. Write off all loans of farmers and agricultural workers immediately.SKM announced to convene the National Council General Body Meeting on June 17 and the All-India Convention on July 28, where discussions will be made to decide the future action plan.