Madhya Pradesh Soybean Farmers Face Crisis: Heavy Rains, Disease Destroy Crops as Government Revives Bhavantar Scheme

Madhya Pradesh holds the distinction of being India's leading soybean producer, generating approximately half of the country's total supply and earning recognition as India's soybean bowl. While government officials attribute this achievement to farmers' dedication and enhanced agricultural infrastructure, the farmers themselves experience a drastically different reality in their rain-damaged fields.

Across numerous villages, farmers are struggling with the devastating effects of excessive rainfall and widespread crop diseases. Many have acquired loans to invest in seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides, anticipating successful harvests to clear their debts. Now, with their crops destroyed, they face mounting unpaid loans and bleak prospects.

"The crop is completely destroyed. If the government helps a little, we'll survive," reveals Pawan Kumar from Saharvasa village, standing amid his deteriorating fields. He further explains that without the ability to repay his seed loans, he may have to sell his land.

Vaijayanti, another affected farmer, laments, "There's nothing in the pods, just small grains. What's left? I'll either have to leave the village or sell the land."

Kalyan Singh Dangi shares a similar experience, having cultivated 30 bighas of land using borrowed funds, only to witness his entire crop succumb to adverse weather and disease.

Though the government has established a Minimum Support Price (MSP) of Rs 5,328 per quintal for soybeans, farmers at Bhopal's Karaund market receive no more than Rs 3,800 per quintal.

Even farmers who successfully transported their soybean harvests to market find themselves in equally dire circumstances as those whose crops perished in the fields.

Gayaram from Dobra has lost between 40 to 50 quintals of soybeans due to rain and disease, rendering his harvest virtually worthless. His Rs 20,000 investment in fertilizers has been wasted, further increasing his financial burden.

Diwan Singh Raghuvanshi shares, "We produce four to five quintals per acre, and sell it at Rs 3,200. This doesn't even cover our costs."

Market traders observe that soybean quality is frequently compromised. "Moisture-laden, sub-standard produce is flooding the markets. Better quality soybeans fetch Rs 4200 to Rs 4300, but most farmers don't have that luxury," explains Harish Gyanchandani, who leads the mandi association.

Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has announced the implementation of the Bhavantar Yojana for soybean farmers to address the gap between market prices and MSP, promising they will not suffer losses under any circumstances.

For instance, if a farmer sells soybeans at Rs 3,600, the government pledges to provide the difference of Rs 1,728 per quintal, bringing the total closer to the established MSP.

On Thursday, Mr. Yadav reaffirmed his government's commitment to ensuring farmers receive fair compensation for their soybean crops.

The 2017 introduction of the Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojana proved more detrimental than beneficial. Designed to compensate farmers when market prices fell below government minimums, the program featured limited procurement windows. This restricted timeframe created a sudden influx of soybeans as farmers rushed to sell within the designated period.

This oversupply flooded markets across Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra, causing soybean prices to plummet by 30 to 35 percent, dropping from approximately Rs 3,000 per quintal to between Rs 1,800 and Rs 2,200 per quintal. Consequently, the scheme failed to provide the intended financial stability.

Furthermore, payments under the scheme were delayed by over a month, arriving too late for farmers who needed immediate funds for harvesting costs, loan repayments, or preparation for the next growing season. "The farmer needs money today, not next month. He has to pay workers, prepare fields, and feed his family. Bhavantar's money comes too late," states farmer Diwan Singh Raguwanshi.

Opposition voices argue that the program's structure primarily benefits large industries rather than small-scale farmers. "This scheme only benefits big industry. Artificially lowered prices let companies buy cheap and stock up for a year. Farmers are left exploited. Without real monitoring, Bhavantar becomes a tool of profiteering, not relief," contends Kedar Sirohi, a leader of the Congress farmer cell.

Despite these criticisms, the government is proceeding with the Bhavantar scheme for the current crop season. This year, registration will be open from October 10 to October 25. The program will operate from November 1 to January 31 next year, with payments transferred directly to farmers' accounts following verification of their land records.

With more than 66 lakh hectares of soybean cultivation, Madhya Pradesh remains India's foremost producer of this important crop.