Measures to ensure remunerative prices for farmers

The Government procures foodgrains directly from farmers to ensure that farmers are able to get remunerative price for their produce. Before the start of each Marketing Season, Government of India convenes a meeting of State Food Secretaries, Food Corporation of India (FCI) officials and other stake holders to discuss various arrangements made by FCI and State Agencies to ensure payment of Minimum Support Price (MSP) to farmers for procurement of paddy and wheat from farmers. All the foodgrains conforming to the prescribed specifications offered for sale at specified centers are bought by the public procurement agencies at the Minimum Support Price (MSP). The producers have the option to sell their produce to FCI/State Agencies at MSP or in the open market as is advantageous to them. Foodgrains procured by the State Governments and their agencies are ultimately taken over by the FCI for distribution throughout the country. In consultation with FCI and State Agencies sufficient number of procurement centres are opened during every marketing season to ensure purchase of paddy and wheat from farmers. Review of arrangements are made periodically and if required, additional purchase centres are also opened during the procurement season. This information was given by the Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Shri Raosaheb Patil Danve in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.