Centre fixes MSP for 22 crops, min tells RS
The Union agriculture ministry has clarified that MSP is set for 22 crops and covers 99% of agricultural output. Contrary to claims, there is no proposal for direct compensation for the price difference. The ministry also reported the establishment of farmer-consumer markets and noted 5,921 functional mandis across 28 states as of March 31, 2023. However, Kisan Mazdoor Morcha leader Sarvan Singh Pandher criticized the claim, emphasizing the need for MSP according to the Swaminathan Commission’s recommendations.
Bathinda: The Union agriculture and farmer welfare ministry has refuted that the minimum support price (MSP) is provided to only 17% of the agricultural output, claiming that the Centre fixes MSP for 22 mandated agricultural crops and fair and remunerative price (FRP) for sugarcane.
Claiming that these crops cover about 99% of the total agricultural production in the country, the ministry has also said that there was no proposal to directly compensate farmers for the difference between selling price and the MSP. The information was provided by Union agriculture minister Ramnath Thakur in Rajya Sabha in response to questions by Raghav Chadha, Rajya Sabha member from Punjab.
To another question, the minister said that the Centre has been promoting establishment of farmer-consumer markets in public and private sector, wherein farmers directly sell their produce, mostly perishables, in retail to consumers. The farmer-consumer markets are in the name of Rythu Bazars in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, Uzhavar Sandhais in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, Apni Mandi/Janata Bazar in Haryana, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh and Krushak Bazar in Odisha.
To another query, the minister said that there are 5,921 functional mandis across 28 states of the country as of March 31, 2023.However, farmer forum Kisan Mazdoor Morcha leader Sarvan Singh Pandher alleged that the claims of the minister of 99% of the total agricultural production in the country under MSP were misleading as much less area under crops got the right of MSP. “The issue is of providing the MSP according to the Swaminathan commission recommendations as per C2 (comprehensive cost) +50% profit. Farmers have been on the roads over this demand for over five-and-a-half months,” he said.
