The Government of India, on the 9th of June, increased the minimum selling price (MSP) for various kharif crops this summer season.
The new prices have increased and are ranging between 50% and 62%. The decision to do so was taken by the Central Cabinet, during a meeting held on Wednesday afternoon. Under the set MSP, the farmers would get huge benefits, while selling crops to the Government through the State run Food Corporation of India. The state run Food Corporation of India purchases cereals and crops at a large quantity and then supplies the same to the beneficiaries through the public distribution system (PDS.)
The decision was announced by Narendra Singh Tomar, the Agriculture Minister of India during a press meet. Mr. Narendra Singh Tomar said, the MSP of paddy has been increased to Rs. 1,940 per quintal in 2021-22 from Rs 1,868 per quintal in 2020-21.
Similarly, the MSP for bajra, pulses and other crops have also been raised.
The new MSP of Bajra is at Rs. 2,250 per quintal, Ragi is at Rs. 3,377 per quintal, Maize is Rs. 1,817 per quintal and Tur at Rs. 6,300 per quintal.
The Union Minister said, “Highest absolute increase in MSP over the previous year has been recommended for sesamum (Rs. 452 per quintal) followed by tur and urad (Rs.300 per quintal each.)”
The Government raises minimum support prices of crops twice a year, once ahead of the winter-sown (rabi) season and the second time for the summer sown (kharif) season.
In the 2021-2022 kharif season, agriculture of rice has so far covered 56.50 lakh hectare. In addition, the sowing of kharif rice has begun in West Bengal, Telangana, Karnataka, Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and other states.
This is to be noted, the MSP hike came at a time when thousands of farmers are protesting against the three farm laws.
However, Narendra Singh Tomar assured farmers and said, “No one should have any misconception about MSP. It’s continuing and increasing. It will continue.”
