Centre schedules next meeting with farmers for Feb 22 under Union Agri Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan

The Central government on Friday called for another round of talks with farmer leaders on February 22, 2025, as part of ongoing efforts to address concerns in the agricultural sector. Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan is expected to also take part in and lead the meeting.

The announcement follows a cordial meeting earlier on Friday between farmers and a central team led by Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution of India Pralhad Joshi. During the discussions, the government representatives outlined the steps being taken under PM Modi’s leadership to address farmers' welfare, said Union Minister Prahlad Joshi while addressing the media.

"I, on behalf of the Government of India, and the Punjab minister held a meeting with farmers of Samyukt Kisan Morcha (Non Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha today. After listening to their concerns and demands for over two hours, we mentioned steps that are being taken for the welfare of farmers under PM Modi's leadership. These discussions will continue on February 22, under the leadership of Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan," he said.

"Meeting between farmers, Central team led by Union Minister Pralhad Joshi held cordially...Govt called another meeting on Feb 22; Union Agri Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan will also take part in it," said the farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal.

The February 22 meeting is seen as a crucial step toward resolving long-standing issues, with farmers hopeful for tangible outcomes, especially around Minimum Support Price (MSP), crop insurance, and market access.

Meanwhile, farmer leader Abhimanyu Kohar said that ministers from the Centre had urged Dallewal to end his fast. Union Minister Prahlad Joshi also released a video statement urging Dallewal to do the same.

"Ministers of the central government urged the two forums - Samyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha - to request Jagjit Singh Dallewal to end his fast. However, Jagjit Singh Dallewal and the two forums made it clear that their protest will continue till a law is made for MSP," he told the media post the meeting.

In an earlier meeting with Dallewal and other farmer representatives at Khanauri on January 18, a central delegation, led by Priya Ranjan, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, had invited them for talks on February 14 in Chandigarh. The Kisan Mazdoor Morcha had, however, urged the Centre on January 20 to hold the proposed February 14 meeting with farmers earlier and appealed to fasting leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal to end his indefinite fast.

The KMM, along with the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political), had been leading protests at the Khanauri and Shambhu border points for 11 months. They also postponed the January 21 march to Delhi, rescheduling it for January 26.