Describing the move as a pro-farmer initiative of the Centre, Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh said, “The decision validates the point that Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA government is committed to the upliftment of farmers. The bonus of Rs 425 per quintal for pulses will boost the output and check price rise.”
According to sources, the Agricultural Cost and Prices (CACP) has recommended a bonus of
Rs 200 per quintal, which was overruled by the Centre and approved Rs 225 more for politically sensitive pulses such as tur (arhar), moong and urad. “Apart from pulses, a bonus of Rs 100 for tilhan (oilseed) and Rs 200 for teel (sesamum) has also been cleared by the Cabinet. MSP of pulses, oilseeds have also been increased,” the agriculture minister said.
However, the Cabinet app-roved an increase of just Rs 60 per quintal in the minimum support price (MSP) of paddy against the ‘proposed’ hike of Rs 100 per quintal for this year.
According to experts, the bonus scheme on pulses will definitely boost pulse cultivation “There have been several instances of farmers not using their land for pulse cultivation as they didn’t get a good price of their produce. The bonus scheme of the Centre would now enable them to get a better price for their produce in mandis,” said Ramesh Chandra Lahoti, who heads the Grain Merchants’ Association of Bengaluru.
With 9.2 per cent hike in MSP of tur (arhar), the farmers will now get Rs 5,050 (including bonus of Rs 425) from Rs 4,625 (including bonus of Rs 200). The MSP for urad was increased 8.1 per cent to Rs 5,000 (including bonus of Rs 425) from Rs 4,625 (including bonus of Rs 200), while the MSP for moong was raised 7.7 per cent to Rs 5,225 from Rs 4,850 per quintal.
The MSP for paddy was increased 4.3 per cent to Rs 1,470 per quintal for the common variety and 4.1 per cent to Rs 1,510 per quintal for ‘Grade A’ variety. MSP for jowar, bajra, maize and ragi, too, will be raised between 3.5 per cent and 4.5 per cent, as per the Cabinet’s decision. Sesamum will get a 6.4 per cent higher MSP of Rs 5,000 per quintal (including Rs 200 bonus).