The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) announced a nationwide agitation beginning May 27, calling upon farmer unions and agricultural workers to participate in demonstrations. According to reports from PTI, the farmers' body issued a press note following a virtual press conference, outlining their grievances against the Centre's agricultural policies. The announcement was made on Friday, May 22, 2026, as reported by PTI. The SKM, which had led the 2021-22 farmers' agitation at Delhi's borders, said it would intensify protests against the Union government over the announced MSP structure for the 2026-27 Kharif season, the recent increase in fuel prices, and the worsening fertiliser situation.
The SKM has called upon farmer unions and agricultural workers to burn copies of the Centre's recent minimum support price (MSP) order and the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) report on price policy for the 2026-27 Kharif season. As reported by PTI, the CACP is an expert advisory body under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, responsible for recommending MSPs for notified crops during Kharif and Rabi seasons. The campaign represents a direct challenge to the government's agricultural pricing structure for the upcoming season.
The farmers' body accused the Centre of imposing a 'fraudulent' MSP regime, burdening farmers through fuel price hikes and mishandling the fertiliser situation. According to PTI, the SKM announced demonstrations against rising costs of fertilisers and diesel, and alleged inaction over black marketing practices. The organisation has specifically targeted the government's agricultural policies and their impact on farmer welfare. Calling the recently announced MSP for Kharif crops a 'fraud', the SKM claimed that the government had not adopted the formula recommended by the National Commission on Farmers headed by M S Swaminathan, which proposed MSP at comprehensive cost (C2) plus 50 per cent of profit margin. The farmers' body alleged that the government, through the CACP, continued to rely on cost calculations that undervalued farmers' production expenses and labour, terming it 'organised loot'.
The SKM alleged that the Centre had failed to protect farmers' interests by not ensuring adequate availability of urea and DAP (Diammonium Phosphate) fertilisers ahead of the Kharif season. According to PTI, the organisation criticised the Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) policy, alleging that it had led to sharp increases in prices of DAP and potash while creating shortages and fueling black marketing of urea. The farmers' body further accused the Centre of undermining federal principles by allegedly coercing states against offering MSP bonuses while simultaneously allowing higher procurement prices in some BJP-ruled states.
As part of its mobilisation plan, the organisation announced that its national council meeting would be held on June 17 and an all-India convention on July 28 in New Delhi to decide future programmes and coordinate nationwide struggles on farmers' demands. The SKM has also raised concerns over proposed India-US trade arrangements, alleging that allowing cheaper agricultural imports from the United States would adversely affect Indian farmers competing against heavily subsidised foreign agriculture. The farmers' body reiterated a series of demands, including a legal guarantee for MSP at C2 plus 50 per cent with universal procurement, rollback of fuel price hikes, reduction in fertiliser prices, withdrawal of the NBS policy, respect for states' powers on agricultural pricing and taxation, and an immediate waiver of loans for agricultural workers.
