New Delhi, February 11: Several MPs of the Maha Vikas Aghadi staged a protest on the Parliament premises on Tuesday, demanding an increase in the time limit for soybean purchases.
Congress MP Varsha Gaikwad and NCP MP Supriya Sule (from the Sharad Pawar faction) were among the prominent leaders participating in the protest. The MPs chanted slogans, including, “Soyabean khareed ki samay seema badhayi jaaye” (Increase the time limit for soybean purchases).
In January 2025, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had directed the marketing department to establish a permanent mechanism for soybean procurement in order to ensure a smooth and efficient process. This initiative was aimed at supporting farmers and stabilizing the soybean market in the state.
Fadnavis also announced plans to set up an agro hub along the Samriddhi Highway under the Magnet Project, with the goal of creating a sustainable and streamlined procurement system. He emphasized that soybean procurement should start in November, and farmer registration should be completed by October.
Fadnavis said, “It should include all the facilities. A system should be set up so that soybean procurement can continue without any problems. A proposal should be submitted for an agro-logistics hub to be set up in all four divisions of the state.”
Soybean is a kharif crop, typically harvested between October and November, depending on its maturity. Maharashtra is a key grower of soybeans, and the government purchases various agricultural commodities through agencies like NAFED and NCCF at a Minimum Support Price (MSP).