Data shows that maize dominates with nearly 100,000 hectares under cultivation, followed by cotton at 77,900 hectares, while soybean covers only 20,878 hectares. This imbalance means that a majority of farmers are unable to benefit from the scheme.
Deputy Director of Agriculture K.C. Vaskel stated that the registration deadline for soybean was October 17. In total, 2,290 farmers registered 2,543.07 hectares. Registered farmers can sell their produce at mandis between October 24 and January 15. The MSP for soybean has been fixed at ₹5,328 per quintal.
Meanwhile, cotton crops in the district are facing damage due to rising pink bollworm infestation.
Farmers reported that untimely rains after crop maturity have worsened the situation, reducing yield quality and limiting harvesting to a single picking. This is likely to impact prices received by farmers.
Farmers have demanded that maize and cotton also be included under the price difference scheme to expand its benefits. They pointed out that maize prices are currently ruling at ₹1,500–1,600 per quintal, which is significantly lower, and have called for an MSP of at least ₹2,500 per quintal to ensure fair returns.
