The Cabinet Committee on Economic
Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has given its
approval for the Minimum Support Prices (MSPs) for Kharif Crops of 2015-16
Season. The decision is based on recommendations of Commission for Agricultural
Costs and Prices (CACP) for the Price Policy for Kharif Crops for the Marketing
Season 2015-16. CACP takes into account the cost of production, overall
demand-supply, domestic and international prices, inter-crop price parity,
terms of trade between agricultural and non-agricultural sectors, the likely
effect of the Price Policy on the rest of economy, besides ensuring rational
utilization of production resources like land and water, while recommending
MSPs.
The CACP being the expert body, its recommendations
are generally accepted as such. However, in view of a large surplus of cereals
in contrast to huge deficit of pulses, the Cabinet made an exception and
decided to give a bonus of Rs.200/- per quintal for pulses over and above the
recommendations of the CACP. This is expected to give a strong price signal to
farmers to increase acreage and invest for increase in productivity of pulses.
(Rupees
per quintal)
Commodity
|
Variety
|
MSP
for 2014-15 season (Rs. Per quintal)
|
MSP
for 2015-16 season (Rs. Per quintal)
|
Increase
over previous year (In Rs. Per quintal)
|
Bonus
(In
Rs. Per quintal)
|
Paddy
|
Common
|
1360
|
1410
|
50
|
---
|
Grade A
|
1400
|
1450
|
50
|
---
|
Jowar
|
Hybrid
|
1530
|
1570
|
40
|
---
|
Maldandi
|
1550
|
1590
|
40
|
---
|
Bajra
|
---
|
1250
|
1275
|
25
|
---
|
Maize
|
---
|
1310
|
1325
|
15
|
---
|
Ragi
|
---
|
1550
|
1650
|
100
|
---
|
Tur
(Arhar)
|
---
|
4350
|
4625
(includes
Rs.200/-
Bonus)
|
275
|
200
|
Moong
|
---
|
4600
|
4850
(includes
Rs.200/-
Bonus)
|
250
|
200
|
Urad
|
---
|
4350
|
4625
(includes
Rs.200/-
Bonus)
|
275
|
200
|
Groundnut-in-shell
|
---
|
4000
|
4030
|
30
|
---
|
Soyabean
|
Black
|
2500
|
----
|
---
|
---
|
Yellow
|
2560
|
2600
|
40
|
---
|
Sunflower
Seed
|
---
|
3750
|
3800
|
50
|
---
|
Sesamum
|
---
|
4600
|
4700
|
100
|
---
|
Nigerseed
|
---
|
3600
|
3650
|
50
|
---
|
Cotton
|
Medium Staple
|
3750
|
3800
|
50
|
---
|
Long
Staple
|
4050
|
4100
|
50
|
---
|
The
prices would be effective from 1.10.2015 and would increase investment and
production through assured remunerative prices to farmers.
Various reports have shown that
the Eastern belt of the country gets neglected in so far as procurement is
concerned. Also, while the procurement mechanism is strong for rice and wheat,
it needs to be improved for pulses and oilseeds. The Cabinet directed that the
arrangements for procurement in the Eastern India be strengthened. The Cabinet
also directed that a credible procurement mechanism for pulses and oilseeds be
put in place if the need arises. Last week, a decision to import pulses was
taken. These measures are expected to complement efforts to keep a check on the
price rise in pulses.
Besides
increase in MSP, Government has taken several farmer friendly initiatives over
the last one year. These, amongst other things, include the following:
·
A
Scheme to issue Soil Health Card to every farmer has been introduced. Soil
health management in the country is being promoted through setting up of soil
& fertilizer testing laboratories and implementation of organic farming.
·
A
new Scheme, Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana, has been launched with the
objective of creating sources of assured irrigation.
·
A
dedicated Kisan Channel has been started by the Doordarshan to address various
issues concerning farmers.
·
An
initiative is being taken to set up a National Agriculture Market (NAM). This
would enable farmers to overcome the impediments in marketing of agricultural
produce and get better price discovery. A common e-market platform is being
created and would be provided free of cost to the States/UTs.
·
Government
is also encouraging formation of Farmer Producer Organisations.
·
To help the
farmers afflicted by natural calamities, assistance was increased by 50
percent. Further, norms were relaxed to provide assistance to farmers who
suffered a loss of 33 percent or more from the previous norm of 50 percent or
more loss.
Despite deficient rainfall of 12 percent
during Kharif during 2014-15 and unseasonal rain and hailstorm in the Rabi
season the total foodgrain production in the country has declined by only 5.3
percent in 2014-15. This reflects the resilience of Indian agriculture and
success of their Government’s efforts in managing shortfall of rain in last
kharif. This year also Government is fully prepared to meet contingency
arising out of any shortfall in Monsoon. Contingency plans for 650 districts
will be operationalised depending on progress of the Monsoon. ICAR, State
Agriculture Universities and Department of Agriculture are working in close
collaboration.
***
AKT/NT/SBP