Wheat farmers to get more than double the average cost of production
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, 23 October 2019, approved the increase in the Minimum Support Prices (MSPs) for all mandated Rabi crops (the crop which are grown in winter and harvested in the spring) of 2019-20 to be marketed in Rabi Marketing Season (RMS) 2020-21.The increase in MSP for Rabi Crops for RMS 2020-21 is in line with the principle of fixing the MSPs at a level of at least 1.5 times of the all India weighted average cost of production (CoP), which was announced in the Union Budget 2018-19.
This MSP policy whereby the farmers are assured of a minimum of 50% as margin of profit is one of the important and progressive steps towards doubling farmers' income by 2022 and improving their welfare substantively.
For the Rabi crops of RMS 2020-21, the highest increase in MSP has been recommended for lentil (Rs 325 per quintal) followed by safflower (Rs 270 per quintal) and gram (Rs 255 per quintal) which is a major step towards increasing the income of farmers.
The MSP of rapeseed & mustard has been increased by Rs 225 per quintal. For both wheat and barley, the MSP has been increased by Rs 85 per quintal. Wheat farmers will hence get a return over cost of 109%.
Cost of production is one of the important factors in the determination of MSPs. This year's increase in MSP of Rabi crops for RMS 2020-21 provides higher than 50% return (except safflower) over all India weighted average cost of production. The return over all India weighted average cost of production is 109% for wheat; 66% for barley; 74% for gram: 76% for lentil; 90% for rapeseed & mustard and 50% for safflower.
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In the case of cereals, Food Corporation of India (FCI) and other designated State agencies would continue to provide price support to the farmers. State Governments will undertake procurement of coarse grains with the prior approval of Government and would distribute the entire procured quantity under NFSA. The subsidy will be provided only for the quantity issued under NFSA. NAFED, SFAC and other designated Central agencies would continue to undertake procurement of pulses and oilseeds. The losses, if any incurred by the nodal agencies in such operations may be fully reimbursed by the Government as per the guidelines.
With the intention of giving enough policy thrust to income security of the farmers, Government's focus has shifted from production-centric approach to income-centric one. Enhancing the coverage of Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) to all farmers in its first Union Cabinet meeting on 31st May 2019, is another major step in boosting the income of the farmers. The PM-KISAN Yojana was announced in the interim Budget for the year 2019-2020, where the small and marginal landholder farmer families with cultivable land holding upto 2 hectare across the country were assured of Rs 6000 per year.
The new Umbrella Scheme Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay SanraksHan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA) announced by the government in 2018 will aid in providing remunerative return to farmers for their produce. The Umbrella Scheme consists of three sub-schemes i.e. Price Support Scheme (PSS), Price Deficiency Payment Scheme (PDPS) and Private Procurement &Stockist Scheme (PPSS) on a pilot basis.
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