MSP alone cannot address problems of farmers: Govt

Having minimum support price mechanism alone cannot address the problems of farmers, government said in Lok Sabha today even while saying that it has initiated various steps for welfare of farmers.
Replying to a discussion on implementing recommendations made by the National Commission on Farmers, Minister of State for Agriculture Sanjeev Kumar Balyan referred to introduction of Soil Health Cards as one of the steps initiated by the government for welfare of the farming community.
Referring to Minimun Support Price (MSP), he said this mechanism alone would not help in addressing the problems faced by farmers. "MSP is not the only answer for farmers."

SWP's (Swabhimani Paksha) member Raju Shetti wondered whether government has forgotten about its policy regarding MSP.
The Minister said the recommendations of the National Commission on Farmers cannot be the "panacea" for all problems in the agriculture sector.
The discussion was on a private member resolution moved by Shetti seeking effective steps to implement the Commission's recommendations to overcome crisis in the agricultural sector. The resolution was later withdrawn by the member.

Participating in the discussion, BJP member Nana Patole wondered why there can't be a law to protect the interests of farmers and prevent them from committing suicide.
"Farmers are the backbone of our country," he said and urged the government to take decisions that help farmers.

Kaushalendra Kumar (JD-U) said efforts should be made to improve the situation of farmers.