Kisan Mahapanchayat Vs Union of India & Ors. (Supreme Court of India)
The Supreme Court considered a matter concerning agricultural policy and crop diversification. During the hearing, it was highlighted that better coordination among different ministries of the Union Government is required to promote pulses as a substitute for crops such as wheat or paddy in northern and central parts of India, and as a substitute for other crops in southern regions. The discussion noted concerns relating to the absence of an incentivised Minimum Support Price (MSP) sufficient to cover production costs incurred by small and medium farmers producing pulses. Issues regarding guaranteed and timely sale of pulses and the fixation of the cost price of imported yellow peas were also raised, particularly to ensure that imports do not adversely affect domestically produced pulses.
The Court requested the Additional Solicitor General to convene a meeting of relevant stakeholders under the aegis of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare to review the existing policy framework and explore measures to incentivise farmers to diversify towards pulses. It stated that interdepartmental deliberations should consider recommendations of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices and directed that outcomes of such deliberations be placed on record. The matter was listed for further hearing on 08.05.2026.
