A team of farmers' group led by CPI(M) agriculture wing found out that demonetisation led to a massive crash in crop prices. The team also said that heavy import of pulses despite bumper produce further led to fall in prices.
The All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) along with party Rajya Sabha member Somaprasad visited Mandasaur, where five farmers were killed in police firing while one died later, and met with families of those killed.
The team found a situation of acute distress in the region as prices of most crops have crashed and are about 60 percent below the prices of last year.
“The demonetization led to this crash and faulty policies like import of wheat and pulses while there was a good harvest here further led to fall in prices,” said AIKS general secretary Hanna Mollah, who was part of the team.
Farmers in many states including Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra were protesting over low MSP. Maharashtra government has announced complete loan waiver for farmers, thus bringing an end to agitation.
The team further said that farmers reported that police were claiming there were FIRs against 574 people and seeking bribe from them on the pretext of removing their names from the list.
The AIKS, Bhoomi Adhikar Andolan in coordination with other farmer organisation are holding countrywide protests on June 16 demanding fixing minimum support price at 50 percent above the cost of production and comprehensive loan waiver to farmers.