KPRS demands higher MSP for red gram, 50% import duty on pulses

Members of the Karnataka Prantha Raitha Sangha (KPRS) staged a protest outside the Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) office in Kalaburagi on Tuesday, demanding an increase in minimum support price (MSP) for red gram crop.

The farmers demanded that the Union government increase MSP to ₹12,500 per quintal of red gram. They also sought an incentive of ₹1,000 each from the State and Union governments for the crop.

KPRS district president Sharanabasappa Mamshetty criticised the Union government’s decision to import large-scale pulses from other countries, stating that it has led to a fall in prices causing distress among local farmers.

He urged the Centre to impose a 50% import duty on pulses to protect domestic farmers.

The protesters sought the implementation of the Swaminathan Commission recommendations for all farm produce and demanded the establishment of red gram procurement centres to ensure assured procurement.

The farmers also urged the State government to immediately open red gram procurement centres across the district and ensure the early release of pending crop insurance claims.

Later, the protesters submitted a memorandum with a charter of demands addressed to Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.