Ganjam ZP urges for increase in MSP of paddy

Ganjam Zilla Parishad (ZP) in Odisha has asked the government to take steps for increase of minimum support price (MSP) for paddy.
"The parishad has adopted the resolution as most of the members demanded higher MSP for paddy. We will send the resolution to the government to consider the demand of the ZP," said Parishad's president, Surath Pradhan.
Presently the government is providing the MSP at Rs 1360 and Rs 1400 per quintal of common and grade A paddy respectively.
"Several members of the parishad also urged the MPs and MLAs from the district to pressurise the government for hike of the MSP for paddy and to bring to the notice of the government about the concern of the members," said Pradhan.

"Merely adoption of a resolution will not solve the problems. The MPs and MLAs of the district, who are also the members of the ZP should raise the issue with the government," said N. Damburu Reddy, a ZP member of BJP.
They should suggest for higher MSP before the commission for agriculture cost and prices (CACP) before it recommends to the government.

"Increase of MSP for paddy is urgently needed as the costs of the other inputs have been increased. The farmers are not getting profit from paddy cultivation with the present MSP", said Sudhir Rout, the representative of MP (Berhampur) Sidhant Mohapatra, at recent ZP meeting.

Rout, an award winning farmer in the district by the agriculture department, has also demanded for increase of subsidies in agriculture inputs like seeds, fertilizers and agriculture appliances to encourage the farm mechanism. Massive farm mechanism was needed due to the labour problem in agriculture sector, he said.
"If the farmers do not get remunerative prices for their produce, they will be forced to give up cultivation," said Nibedita Pradhan, another ZP member. She said several hectares were lying uncultivable as the farmers did not show interest in cultivation.
She also expressed grave concern that sugarcane growers were not getting proper prices for their produce from the sugar mill.