Farmers warn of protests over fertilizer shortage; allege black market sales

Published 17 June 2026 · india

The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), an umbrella organisation of about 500 farmers’ associations, has warned that it will begin protests if the Union Government fails

The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), an umbrella organisation of about 500 farmers’ associations, has warned that it will begin protests if the Union Government fails to ensure adequate supply of fertilizer for kharif crops. Talking to reporters after a national council meeting, SKM leaders said here on Wednesday (June 17, 2026) that in Bihar and Madhya Pradesh, farmers are already facing shortages, and fertilizer is being sold in the black market. “In Bihar, farmers who were demanding fertilizers were assaulted by police,” they said and asked that the Government ensure adequate supply to avoid any untoward situation.

“The Government claims that they will ensure adequate supply, but the ground situation is different,” they said and added that the SKM will start protests against rising prices and black marketing of urea, diesel and cooking gas. The SKM also warned the Narendra Modi Government against signing the free trade agreement with the United States. The SKM urged farmers to gear up to hold a massive protest the very next day if the Union Government signs the India-US FTA. Law on minimum support price The meeting also decided to intensify efforts to compel the Union Government to enact a law on a statutory minimum support price according to the MS Swaminathan Committee formula that provides for guaranteed procurement.

The leaders also demanded that various FTAs be repealed and a comprehensive loan waiver be announced for farmers. The meeting reiterated the demand for rural employment guarantees of 200 days of work per year at a ₹600 wage and enhancing of the minimum wage of casual migrant workers to ₹26,000. An All-India Convention of the SKM scheduled for July 28 will make an announcement on the next phase of the campaign. “SKM will coordinate with all other sections including workers, agricultural workers, students, youth, and others fighting against anti-people policies to extend mutual support and solidarity and build broad unity among working people,” a statement added.

A Convention of Workers and Farmers, which will include central trade unions, will be organised on July 29 in Delhi. The meeting adopted a resolution supporting demands by students’ movements for Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation following the NEET (UG) paper leak.