Paddy MSP up Rs 72; meagre, say farmers

Tribune News Service

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New Delhi, June 9

The Centre today increased the minimum support price of kharif crops for the marketing season 2021-22, giving the maximum hike to pulses and oilseeds in a bid to wean farmers away from water-guzzling paddy.

The price of common grade paddy, the largest cereal of the season, has been increased from Rs 1,868 to Rs 1,940 a quintal, a hike of Rs 72, which the farmers termed “meagre” compared to what other crops had got. The MSP for grade A paddy too has been hiked by Rs 72 to take it to Rs 1,960 a quintal.

The per quintal MSP for tur and urad has been increased by Rs 300, taking it to Rs 6,300, while that of groundnut by Rs 275 to take it to Rs 5,550.

Elaborating on the decisions by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar reiterated the Central Government’s commitment towards farmers. “We always said the MSP will remain and the increase in support prices of kharif crops is a proof of our commitment,” he said.

The Centre said over the past few years, concerted efforts had been made to realign the MSPs in favour of oilseeds, pulses and coarse cereals to encourage farmers to shift to larger area under these crops. The added focus on nutri-cereals is to incentivise its production in areas where rice-wheat cannot be grown without long-term adverse implications on groundwater table.