New Delhi, July 5 : Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Radha Mohan Singh on Thursday said the government decision to hike minimum support price for kharif crops was a progressive step in a series of reforms that have been rolled out to double farmers income by 2022.
The Minister was speaking to farmers who had called on him following the Cabinet’s decision on Wednesday to hike support prices for kharif crop to 1.5 times the production cost.
‘The government is committed to doubling farmers’ income by 2022, towards which it is working on a comprehensive strategy with emphasis on enhancing productivity, reducing cost of cultivation and strengthening post-harvesting management, including market structure. Several market reforms have been initiated,’ he said.
The Minister said the government was working on a new market architecture, so as to ensure that farmers get remunerative prices on their produce.
“These include setting up of Gramin Agricultural Markets (GrAMs) to promote 22,000 retail markets in close proximity to farm gate; competitive and transparent wholesale trade at Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee mandis through e-National Agriculture Markets and a robust and pro-farmer export policy,’ he said.
Responding to concerns about full procurement of farmers produce at the declared MSP, Mr Singh said the Food Corporation of India (FCI) and other designated State Agencies would continue to provide price support to the farmers.
The National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Limited (NAFED), Small Farmers Agri –Business Consortium (SFAC) and other designated Central Agencies would continue to undertake procurement of pulses and oilseeds.
Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) will be the central nodal agency for undertaking price support operations for Cotton.
He said promoting cultivation of pulses can help India overcome nutrition insecurity, improve soil fertility by nitrogen fixation and provide income support to farmers.
“Increased MSPs for pulses will give a price signal to farmers to increase acreage, boost production of oilseeds and encourage investment in its productivity and help reduce India’s import bill. Increase in MSPs of nutri-cereals will improve nutritional security and allow farmers to get higher prices,’’ he said.
However, some of the farmers’ organisations have said the hike should have been on comprehensive costs (C2) and not on A2 costs which only partially covers the input costs of agriculture production.
UNI.
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