The Central Government has released Rs80.16 crore for Chhattisgarh as fund released for utilization as revolving funds for procurement of Minor Forest Produce as on January 15, 2015 during the financial year 2014-15. The Scheme of ‘Mechanism for Marketing of Minor Forest Produce (MFP) through Minimum Support Price (MSP) and Development of Value Chain for MFP’ was launched during the year 2013-14.
The neighbouring Jharkhand State was released Rs4.25 crore for procurement of minor forest produce till Jan 2015 during 2014-15. The scheme provides for non-nationalization of MFP by the State concerned, so that the collectors of MFP are free to sell the MFP in open market if the market price is more than the MSP declared. States of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are still continuing with the practice of nationalization of MFP. Therefore, the scheme has not been implemented in these two States.
This information was given by Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Mansukhbhai Dhanjibhai Vasava in a written reply in the lok Sabha. The MSP per kg of various Minor Forest Produce are as follows- Tamarind (22.00) Honey (132.00) Gum Karaya (108.00) Karanj Seed (21.00) Sal Seed (10.00) Mahua Seed (22.00) Sal leaves (21.00) Chironjee Pods with seeds (100.00) Myrobalan (11.00) lac ( Not available) Rangini (230.00) Kusumi (320.00).
In Chhttisgarh the purchase of Tamarind is being done from February to April 2015, officials stated. About Five lakh quintal Tamarind will be purchased at an MSP of Rs135 crore. The ratio on MSP of the Central Government and Chhattisgarh State Government is 75:25. The purchases will be done through Primary Co-operative Societies. Traders can also buy tamarind on the MSP, officials stated.
Notably, Tamarind and Maize of Bastar division is in high demand overseas as proved by exports which was to the tune of more than Rs100 crore last year. In the Kharif season last year, more than six lakh quintals of maize worth Rs85 crore was exported from Bastar. Similarly 50,000 quintals of Tamarind worth Rs20 crore was exported last year. Significantly, the maize produced by Bastar is being exported to USA, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Vietnam while tamarind is being exported to Pakistan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Dubai.
In the Kharif season last year, more than six lakh quintals of maize worth Rs85 crore was exported from Bastar. Similarly 50,000 quintals of Tamarind worth Rs20 crore was exported. A few years ago, paddy and mustard were the key crops of Bastar region but the trend has changed during the past five years. The farmers go for maize in Rabi and Kharif crops and getting higher returns in comparison to paddy.
Joint Director of Mandi Board Kumar Ram Banjare had stated that the total procurement of maize in different markets of Bastar division was 1758851 quintals in 2011-12, 20,25056 quintals in 2012-13 and 21,04478 quintals in 2013-14. “The production of maize is increasing year by year in the division and more and more farmers are interested in farming of maize,” stated Banjare.