Haryana Farmer Unions Demand Paddy Procurement from 15 September as MSP Standoff Escalates

Farmer unions in Haryana are demanding that state agencies open paddy procurement at the minimum support price (MSP) on 15 September, about two weeks before the official start date of 1 October, and have warned of an agitation if the schedule stays unchanged. Kisan Tak reports that the dispute has already produced demonstrations in Karnal and Kurukshetra and a threat to block National Highway 44 near Shahabad from 16 September.

Harvest calendar against the procurement calendar

District administrations across Haryana are preparing for procurement to begin on 1 October. Farmers argue that date no longer matches the crop cycle. Paddy transplanting in the state starts on 15 June and most varieties are ready for harvest in roughly three months, which they say puts the correct opening date at 15 September. Early-maturing Parmal (PR) non-basmati varieties are already reaching mandis well ahead of the official date, and that arrival pattern is driving the demand.

Officials involved in procurement operations expect the state government to raise the matter with the central government, and consider it likely that buying will not start on 15 September, though it could be advanced by about a week. Dr Arun Kumar Ahuja, chief general manager for procurement and warehousing at the Haryana State Cooperative Supply and Marketing Federation (HAFED), told Hindustan Times: "It would be premature to say anything about the procurement schedule. We have no information that the government is planning to start it earlier." HAFED buys around 33% of the state's total paddy.

MSP rates and the 17% moisture rule

For Kharif Marketing Season 2026-27 the central government has set the minimum support price for common paddy at 2,441 rupees per quintal (100 kg) and for Grade-A paddy at 2,461 rupees, an increase of 72 rupees over last year's common-grade rate.

Officials say the 1 October start was fixed so that farmers do not face problems selling grain with high moisture content. The moisture limit for paddy entering the central pool is 17%. Farmer unions want that ceiling temporarily lifted to 20% during the early procurement window, arguing that agencies would otherwise reject wetter grain and leave farmers to sell to private traders at lower prices. Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, visiting Kurukshetra on 4 September, said the state was in constant contact with the Centre and would ensure smooth procurement, while warning that excess moisture creates difficulties for government agencies, commission agents and the administration, and urging farmers to bring grain within the prescribed limit.

Haryana seeks a larger central pool quota

Separately, the state has asked the central government to raise its approved central pool quota from 5.8 million tonnes to at least 6.5 million tonnes. Food and supplies minister Rajesh Nagar discussed the request with Union Food Minister Pralhad Joshi earlier this month.

There is recent precedent for moving the date. Last year, after Chief Minister Saini intervened, Haryana began procurement on 22 September 2025 rather than 1 October. Saini has made no commitment to 15 September this season. Agriculture Minister Shyam Singh Rana told Bharatiya Kisan Union (Charuni) leaders to put their demand to the chief minister, but no formal announcement advancing the start has been made.

Mobilisation building in Kurukshetra

Bharatiya Kisan Union (Charuni) has called a kisan panchayat at Shahabad in Kurukshetra, and a kisan mahapanchayat was scheduled at Pehowa on 10 September. Union leader Gurnam Singh Charuni has said that if procurement does not begin on 15 September, NH-44 near Shahabad will be blocked indefinitely from 16 September. Unions held protests in Karnal and Kurukshetra earlier this month and have announced further mobilisation.