Centre hikes MSP for 6 Rabi crops amid Farm Bill row; PM Modi says move to empower farmers

A day after Parliament cleared three farm sector reform legislations amid uproar, Modi government approved a hike in Minimum Support Prices (MSPs) for all mandated Rabi crops for marketing season 2021-22 in line with recommendations of Swaminathan Commission. decision was taken in  Cabinet Committee on Ecomic Affairs (CCEA) chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday.

Making anuncement in Lok Sabha after  CCEA meeting, Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said support price for wheat has been increased by Rs 50 to take it to Rs 1,975 a quintal for coming Rabi season. Tomar also took an aim on Congress and said that while grand old party is telling entire country that MSP and APMC will go, government's decision is proof of fact that both will continue.

Anuncing MSP for six crops, including Chana, Tomar said, “I want to reiterate that MSP and APMC will both remain."

READ | 'Farm Sector Functioning Smoothly, Short Of Foodgrains': Centre On Impact Of COVID

READ | 12 Opposition Parties To Meet President Ram Nath Kovind Over Assent To Farm Bills

Benefits under revised rates

In a statement,  Ministry of Agriculture said highest increase in MSP has been anunced for lentil (Rs 300 per quintal) followed by gram and rapeseed and mustard (Rs 225 per quintal each) and safflower (Rs 112 per quintal). For barley and wheat, an increase of Rs 75 per quintal and Rs 50 per quintal respectively has been anunced. differential remuneration is aimed at encouraging crop diversification, it said.

increase in MSP for Rabi crops is in line with principle of fixing MSPs at a level of at least 1.5 times of All-India weighted aver cost of production as anunced in Union Budget 2018-19, Ministry said.  expected returns to farmers over ir cost of production are estimated to be highest in case of wheat (106%) followed by rapeseed and mustard (93%), gram, and lentil (78%). For barley, return to farmers over ir cost of production is estimated at 65% and for safflower, it is 50%.

umbrella scheme PM AnnadataAaySanraksHan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA), comprising Price Support Scheme (PSS), Price Deficiency Payment Scheme (PDPS), and pilot Scheme of Private Procurement and Stockist Scheme (PPSS) will aid in procurement of pulses and oilseeds, government said.

PM hails decision

Hailing decision, PM Modi took to Twitter and said higher MSP will empower farmers and contribute to doubling of ir income. "Increased MSP, along with series of agriculture reforms passed by Parliament will ensure dignity and prosperity of farmers. Jai Kisan!"

READ | SAD Delegation Meets President Kovind, Requests Him To t Sign Farm Bills

READ | Farm Bill Row: Congress Launches Agitation Against Govt For Passing 'anti-farmer' Law