Congress’s Rs 7,000 Per Quintal Soybean Promise Questioned After Karnataka Prices Remain Low – News18

Last Updated:November 18, 2024, 16:19 IST

In recent years, soybean cultivation has expanded significantly in Marathwada, North Maharashtra, and Vidarbha, making it a key campaign issue

Rahul Gandhi, Leader of Opposition in Parliament, recently promised a price of Rs 7,000 per quintal for soybean during his campaign rallies in Maharashtra’s Vidarbha.

However, in Karnataka, where Congress is in power, soybean farmers are reportedly receiving only around Rs 3,751 per quintal in the markets — Rs 1,141 below the Minimum Support Price (MSP). This disparity has raised questions about the credibility of Congress’s promises, with critics accusing the party of misleading farmers for electoral gains.

Farmers have challenged Congress to first ensure Rs 7,000 for soybean in Karnataka before making lofty promises in Maharashtra. Meanwhile, BJP leaders have also targeted Congress over the low prices in Karnataka.

Globally, 350 million tons of soybean is produced annually, with India contributing around 10 million tons. Madhya Pradesh leads in soybean cultivation, with over 55 lakh hectares under cultivation, followed by Maharashtra with over 45 lakh hectares. Madhya Pradesh produces approximately 50.60 lakh tons, while Maharashtra produces 40-45 lakh tons annually. In recent years, soybean cultivation has expanded significantly in Marathwada, North Maharashtra, and Vidarbha, according to studies. Recognising its importance, Congress has made soybean prices a key issue in its campaign against the Mahayuti government.

“Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge recently visited Tivsa in Amravati district and reiterated the promise. However, as a farmer, I checked the soybean prices across the country, and nowhere in Karnataka are farmers getting Rs 7,000. In Gulbarga, Kharge’s home district, soybean prices hover around Rs 3,800 per quintal. Despite this, the Karnataka government has not intervened, neither procuring soybeans nor implementing a price difference scheme,” MP Dr Anil Bonde said.

Criticising Kharge, he said: “Kharge is misleading people for electoral gains while ignoring the plight of farmers in his own district. BJP’s deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis provided Rs 5,000 per hectare assistance to soybean farmers and is now planning a Bhavantar scheme to deposit the price difference directly into farmers’ accounts. Kharge should advise Karnataka’s Congress CM to implement similar measures.”

During his campaign, Rahul Gandhi had criticised the Mahayuti government and raised the promised price for soybean from Rs 6,000 per quintal (as announced by the Mahayuti) to Rs 7,000 per quintal. However, the rhetoric appears to overlook the reality in Karnataka where Congress is in power.

In Bidar district’s Basava Kalyan and Gulbarga markets, soybean is being sold at approximately Rs 3,751 per quintal, and in some cases, even lower. Bonde has demanded that Congress prove its sincerity by ensuring Rs 7,000 per quintal for soybean in Karnataka before making promises to Maharashtra farmers and misleading them.