India offers protesting farmers support prices for corn, cotton and pulses

MUMBAI - India has offered guaranteed support prices for pulses, corn and cotton in a bid to break a deadlock with protesting farmers, said Trade Minister Piyush Goyal after

week-long clashes with security forces trying to keep the farmers out of the capital

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Tear gas and barricades were used to deter the farmers, who form an influential voting bloc, months ahead of a general election due by May, in which Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeks a record third term.

The comments on Feb 18 followed marathon talks with farmers’ unions after the farmers, who are demanding a minimum price for their produce, were halted at a distance of about 200km from New Delhi.

Mr Goyal said the government had proposed five-year contracts between co-operative societies it promotes and farmers who diversify their crops to grow several types of lentils and corn, for the purchase of such crops at a minimum support price.

“These organisations will buy the produce and there will be no limit on quantity,” Mr Goyal told reporters in the northern city of Chandigarh, adding that a similar price guarantee would also be offered to farmers who diversify and produce cotton.

The farmers’ unions said they would decide on the proposal within a day or two, after conferring among themselves to reach a consensus.

Police have used tear gas and barricades to stop thousands of farmers from marching to New Delhi to press their demand that the government set a minimum price for all their produce to ensure their livelihoods. REUTERS