‘Govt Misled Us’: Farmers of MP’s Anuppur Angry Ahead of Polls

Ahead of the polls in Madhya Pradesh, the farmers say CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s Bhavantar scheme is not helping.

The Quint reached Anuppur village in Vidisha district of Madhya Pradesh and spoke to farmers.

(Photo: The Quint)

Video Producer: Fabeha Syed
Video Editor: Abhishek Sharma

The issue of farmers is being raised repeatedly and in almost every speech that our leaders make these days. Congress President Rahul Gandhi is promising to waive farmers’ loans within 10 days if his party wins the elections. Prime Minister Narendra Modi says he will double the MSP (Minimum Support Price).

The Quint reached Anuppur village in Vidisha district of Madhya Pradesh and spoke to farmers.

Shivraj Singh and Narendra Modi are lying. These people had promised they will provide facilities to farmers and will remove the distress of common people but they only misled them. That’s all.

Farmer, Anuppur Village (MP)

In October 2017, CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched Bhavantar Yojna that aimed at helping farmers by paying them the difference, if the produce was sold below the minimum support price (MSP). Farmers complained saying the scheme was the worst thing the CM could think of bringing.

Another farmer said at the time of the Congress, the payment used to be instant. If the crop was sold for Rs 4,000 or Rs 5,000, the farmer was able to earn right away at the 'mandi'.

The rate of chickpea used to be Rs 3,200 per quintal, but under Bhavantar it was 4,200. I had taken a loan from a moneylender. Since the Bhavanatar price wasn’t paid immediately, the interest on loan kept on accumulating. So Bhavantar actually doesn’t help.

Farmer, Anuppur Village (MP)

Although the government and the candidates are releasing their election manifestos and making tall promises of supporting agriculture, the farmers of Anuppur still seem to be suffering.

Neither did the government make any pond here, nor is there any natural source of water like a river. Every farmer isn’t able to find water below his land. Only if he is lucky will he be able to bore water. 

Farmer, Anuppur

Another farmer added:

For the first time in the last four years, we have just started getting electricity for one month. That also with frequent power cuts.