In a new initiative to get remunerative prices for the farmers, the Haryana Government on Tuesday urged the Central Government to replace the ‘Minimum Support Price’ (MSP) with ‘Profitable Price’ in consonance with the recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission under which the farmers would be given 50 per cent profit over and above the cost of production of the crop.
Agriculture Minister OP Dhankar said that after the approval of CM Manohar lal, the State Government has sent a written communication to the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices wherein it has been stated that ‘Minimum Support Price’ for the farmers tends to become the ‘Maximum Support Price’, which fails to serve the basic purpose of providing adequate profit to the farmers and without ensuring a minimum lucrative and profitable price to farmers, required growth level in agriculture in proportion to other sectors of economy, can’t be achieved.
He, however, said that if due to constrains of the resources, it is not feasible to give the increase of 50 per cent in one go, the Centre might strive for giving 20% increase in the average cost of production of crops in last two years plus 10 per cent profit in the first instance. He said that the ultimate objective is to fully implement the recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission by increasing the profit of the farmers in a phased manner, in coming years. This endeavour would put the agriculture in the country on a path of considerably rapid growth, ascertaining overall big boost for the economy of the nation.
Dhankar said that for paddy crop, the recommended MSP with the 20 per cent increase in the average cost of production of crops in last two years and 10 per cent increase on the cost is Rs2,193.10 whereas the cost of production per quintal including 20 per cent increase of last two years average cost of production was Rs1,993.72.
Similarly, the recommended MSP with 20%increase and 10 per cent increase on the cost of bajra is Rs1,557.48 and maize is Rs2,041.57 whereas the cost of production per quintal including 20% increase of last two years average cost of production was Rs1,415.89 and Rs1,853.25 respectively.
likewise, the recommended MSP with 20% increase and 10% increase on the cost is Rs5,367.78 for cotton crop whereas the cost of production per quintal including 20% increase of last two years average cost of production was Rs4,879.80.