Mumbai
Amid the ongoing protest by farmers against three farm laws, the Centre on Wednesday increased minimum support price (MSP) of Kharif crops for 2021-22 season to ensure remunerative prices to the growers for their produce. The Centre increased MSP on paddy (common variety) marginally by Rs 72 per quintal to Rs 1,940 for 2021-22 crop year (July-June) from Rs 1,868 per quintal in same period last year.
Similarly, MSP of Bajra has been increased to Rs 2,250 per quintal from Rs 2,150.
According to agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar, 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). In case of groundnut and niger seed, there has been an increase of Rs 275 and Rs 235 per quintal respectively. The differential remuneration is aimed at encouraging crop diversification.
For paddy, the increase is 3.8-3.9 per cent. In case of coarse cereals, it has been higher at 4.5 per cent for jowar and 4.7 per cent for bajra. But in case of maize, it is only 1.1 per cent. For pulses, increase has been 5 per cent for tur and urad and just 1.1 per cent for moong. In the case of oil seeds, it is varied. Groundnut has been offered 5.2 per cent increase while it is just 1.8 per cent for soybean. Cotton will get 3.4-3.8 per cent higher price.
CARE Ratings said, “The increase this time has been driven by delicate situation of encouraging production without being inflationary. ’’
Tomar again dispelled apprehensions about MSP saying, "MSP (on-farm crops) is there, is being hiked and will continue in future as well".