Amidst protests by farmers demanding higher minimum support prices (MSP) for their produce, the Centre has approved Rs 80 per quintal hike in paddy MSP while support price of pulses has been raised by up to Rs 400 per quintal to encourage farmers increase area sown under Kharif crops this season. The announcement of MSP will help farmers in deciding which crop to grow.
According to the letter to the States, the Ministry of Agriculture has approved Rs 80 per quintal hike in paddy MSP at Rs 1,550 for common grade variety and Rs 1,590 for 'A' grade variety. In pulses, the MSP has been hiked by up to Rs 400 per quintal. Tur MSP has been raised to Rs 5,450 from 5,050 a quintal, while support price of Moong dal has been increased to Rs 5,575 (including bonus) from Rs 5,225 per quintal. Urad MSP is now Rs 5,400 per quintal against Rs 5,000 in the previous year.
Agitating farmers have been demanding that the Government fix MSP at a rate that is 50 per cent over and above the cost of cultivation. The Union Cabinet had on June 7 approved the minimum support price of 14 kharif (summer-sown) crops. However, the decision was not announced amid farmers protest in many states including Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, seeking waiver of crop loans. The Union Agriculture Ministry has now informed States and Union Territories through a letter about the hike in Kharif MSP for the 2017-18 crop year (July-June).
According to letter, among coarse cereals, prices of maize have been raised by Rs 60 to Rs 1,425 per quintal. Bajra MSP is up by Rs 95 to Rs 1,425, while ragi MSP has been increased by Rs 175 to Rs 1,900 per quintal. Jowar (hybrid) has been raised by Rs 75 per quintal to Rs 1,700 per quintal and jowar (maldandi) too by Rs 75 at Rs 1,725 per quintal.