Farmers’ unions urge Punjab government to reject Centre’s agricultural marketing policy

Chandigarh: Farmer unions in Punjab have urged the state government to reject the Centre’s national policy framework on agricultural marketing, citing concerns over its impact on the state’s agriculture-driven economy.

Representatives from 15 farmer unions met with Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian on Thursday to discuss the issue in a meeting that lasted over three hours.

The unions argued that the policy promotes privatization in grain procurement, which they fear could lead to monopolistic practices and harm farmers’ interests.

Highlighting the policy’s potential risks, union leaders stressed the need for the state government to take a firm stand against its implementation.

In response, the agriculture minister assured the unions that their concerns would be addressed. He promised to convene an all-party meeting to deliberate on the policy before the state submits its response to the Centre.