Farmers from across Saurashtra held a mega rally on Monday under the banner of Bharatiya Kisan Sangh (BKS) demanding higher minimum support price (MSP) for cotton. BKS has demanded MSP of Rs 1,000 per 20kg of cotton from the government.

The farmer leaders said that the policy of the present government will destroy agriculture and force farmers to take up other means of livelihood.

BKS, an affiliate of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has decided to intensify the agitation if the demands of the farmers are not met in the next fortnight.

As of now, the government is purchasing cotton at Rs 800 per 20kg which is not enough. The government must revise MSP as input cost of fertilizers, pesticide and labour have phenomenally increased in the last few years. The farmers are also demanded a waiver on value added tax on fertilizers to reduce the input costs.

Kisan Sangh leader Suresh Patel said that earlier, farmers use to send money to educate their sons in cities but now, sons send money to grow crops as farmers are not getting enough MSP to their produce.