MLA Payal Shankar urges government to support soybean farmers

BJP MLA Payal Shankar raised concerns in the Assembly over the severe financial difficulties faced by soybean farmers in the Adilabad constituency. He highlighted that soybean purchases in the region have dropped sharply this season. While last year around 3.4 lakh quintals were procured from farmers, this year only 1.64 lakh quintals from about 6,200 farmers were bought. This decline, he said, is putting farmers’ incomes under serious pressure.

Shankar pointed out that continuous rains during the crop-harvesting period have caused changes in the soybean’s color. However, procurement centers are rejecting these crops under “fair average quality” rules, despite the farmers not being at fault. He urged the government to account for natural factors affecting crop quality and to allow special relaxations, including purchasing soybeans that have changed color even if they fall below the minimum support price.

He also criticized the halting of purchases at several centers after procurement targets were reportedly reached. As a result, farmers are forced to sell their crops at lower prices to private agents, increasing their losses. Shankar demanded that the government immediately step in and buy the remaining soybeans to protect farmers’ interests.

In addition, he raised concerns about farmers displaced for the Chanak and Korata projects, who are still awaiting proper compensation. He called on the government to provide rightful compensation without delay. Emphasizing that protecting farmers’ rights remains the BJP’s priority, Shankar stated that the party would continue to fight until justice is delivered.