Farmers in Gujarat have been agitating for an increase in the MSP of cotton. (Representational image)
A farmer hailing from Surendranagar District of Gujarat's Saurashtra region allegedly committed suicide by immolating himself at a cotton marketing yard in adjoining Jasdan taluka on Wednesday, reportedly after not getting a good price for his cotton produce.
Police said that 21 year old, Arvind Koli, a resident of Dharai town of Surendranagar, had gone to the market yard in Vinchhiya town of Jasdan taluka to sell his cotton produce. Officials said that Mr Koli was upset when he was quoted a low price for his cotton produce. In response, he reportedly consumed pesticide and later doused his body in with kersone and set himself on fire. He was first admitted to a local hospital and was later shifted to a hospital in Rajkot, where he succumbed to his burns.
Farmers in Gujarat have been agitating since the last month demanding an increase in the minimum support price (MSP) of cotton and groundnut crops. The state government had few days back announced a package of around Rs 1100 crores for the farmers, given the continued agitation. But farmers claim that the relief package was inadequate.
Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Kisan Sangh (BKS) in Rajkot has announced a 'Vinchhiya bandh' call tomorrow.
The Central government has fixed MSP for cotton at Rs 810 per bale. But, farmers said that they incur huge losses due to the low MSP and have demanded that it should be increased to Rs 1,500 per bale.
This year's the yield of cotton crop in the state has been insufficient and also lack of international demand have pushed cotton farmers in Gujarat to the brink.