Farmers in Samba district took to the roads today, September 22, 2025, blocking key routes to demand fair prices for their crops after a tough season. The protest, centered in Vijaypur, saw hundreds of farmers chanting for better minimum support prices (MSP) and relief from flood-related losses. Agriculture Minister Javed Rana met with leaders, promising quick action, but the farmers stayed put, saying they’ve heard promises before. “We can’t feed our families with words,” one protester told local reporters, pointing to rising costs and low returns.
August’s floods wiped out crops like rice and maize across Samba, leaving farmers with little to sell. The MSP for key crops hasn’t kept up with inflation, they say, and middlemen are eating into profits. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah tweeted support, urging talks, but farmers want firm commitments on price hikes and insurance payouts. The protest tied up traffic on the Jammu-Pathankot road, a key trade route, affecting truckers and local shops. Rural Samba, where farming drives the economy, feels the pinch hardest – many families are still rebuilding after the rains.
Rana said the government is working on a relief package, including subsidies for seeds and fertilizers, but farmers demand a timeline. The Agriculture Department’s recent report noted delays in crop insurance claims, fueling anger. Social media posts with #SambaFarmers show fields underwater, a stark reminder of losses. The protests echo wider calls across India for farmer-friendly policies, with Samba’s growers looking to Punjab’s success in securing MSP hikes. For now, the standoff continues, with villagers vowing to stay until talks bear fruit.
If you’re in Samba, share your thoughts with #SambaFarmers.