Farmer organisations in Punjab have stepped up their engagement with political parties ahead of the Assembly elections, placing a comprehensive set of demands before the state leadership of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

A delegation representing multiple farmer unions met Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar on Saturday (March 21) and submitted a detailed memorandum outlining their key concerns.

The delegation comprised representatives from several farmer bodies, including BKU Kadian, BKU Punjab, Doaba Kisan Committee Punjab, Doaba Kisan Sangharsh Committee, Majha Kisan Sangharsh Committee, BKU Malwa Heerke, and Doaba Kisan Union Punjab.

Among the major issues raised were the resolution of Punjab’s river water disputes in line with the riparian principle, measures to make farmers debt-free, and the effective implementation of Minimum Support Price (MSP) along with the Bhavantar scheme for agricultural produce.

The memorandum also called for the establishment of a dedicated Farmers Commission and a General Category Commission, alongside demands for prioritising local youth in employment opportunities within the state.

Other concerns highlighted included timely clearance of sugarcane dues, stronger action against the drug menace, and the deployment of mobile laboratories to detect adulteration in milk.

Farmer representatives urged the BJP leadership to incorporate these demands into its election manifesto, stressing the urgency of addressing agrarian distress and allied issues.

Responding to the delegation, Jakhar assured them that their genuine concerns would be taken up at the party level and that efforts would be made to work towards viable solutions.

The outreach reflects growing efforts by farmer groups to influence policy commitments ahead of the polls, with agrarian issues expected to remain central to the electoral discourse in Punjab.