The Hindu Business Line : AP Govt raises MSP for jowar, bajra and ragi

Farm package
The MSP to be raised to Rs 600 from Rs 525 a quintal.
The State to request the Centre to include castor under MSP.
Proposal to take village as a unit for crop insurance scheme.

Hyderabad , June 14

The Andhra Pradesh Government has decided to increase minimum support price (MSP) for jowar, bajra and ragi to Rs 600 a quintal from the present Rs 525.

The decision is expected to benefit a large number of small and marginal farmers raising these crops in the rainfed areas.

Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, Chief Minister, has reportedly directed the officials to give the additional amount of Rs 75.

Reviewing the progress of kharif arrangements with senior officials of the Agriculture Ministry and India Meteorological Department, he felt that the present MSP of Rs 525 is not remunerative for the farmers who were taking up these crops in the adverse conditions, official sources said.

While paddy attracted an MSP of Rs 600, wheat got Rs 640 a quintal; jowar, bajra and ragi got a low MSP of Rs 525.

The Chief Minister also said that he would talk to the Union Minister for Agriculture, Mr Sharad Pawar, to convince him on the need for increasing MSP for rain fed crops. The State Government would request the Centre to include castor under MSP.

The Government, however, fell short of announcing the decision to enhance the MSP for the three crops, keeping in mind the code of conduct for the ensuing local body elections.

Instead, the Government had directed the Commissioner and Director of Agriculture to "create awareness in the villages on the increase in MSP".

The Government could say that the sowing time would complete by June 30 and that it could not wait till the code expired.

The Chief Minister also asked the officials to discourage chilli and cotton in sub-marginal soils where crop productivities were low. The Chief Minister directed the officials to go and meet the Union Agriculture Minister in Delhi to clear the proposal for taking village as a unit for the crop insurance scheme.

"This is very important to protect the farmers from the uncertainties of climatic conditions," he said.

Meanwhile, the Centre has agreed to sanction Rs 50 crore for the development of Seed Valley on the lines of Genome Valley.

The Seed Valley was aimed at producing good quality seed.

More Stories on : Agricultural Policy | Foodgrains | Andhra Pradesh

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page

Stories in this Section
SEBI clears MCX IPO

Mango exports to figure in talks with Japan

Jairam Ramesh moots new dept for plantation

Short of demand

Sharp fall in spot rubber

Call to defer decision on ethanol-blended petrol

Sugar dips

Sharp decline in precious metals

Seed cos urge TN for Bt cotton pricing order

RBD palmolein rules weak

Poultry farmers urged to curb maize buying

Pepper slips on quality concerns

AP Govt raises MSP for jowar, bajra and ragi