Question : MINIMUM SUPPORT PRICE

(a) whether the Government has announced the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for kharif and Rabi crops for the 2009-10 harvest season;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government has increased the MSP of all the agricultural products including copra, paddy, rice, tur, wheat and foodgrains;

(d) if so, the details alongwith the MSP fixed for each crop, commodity-wise;

(e) whether the Government has also announced incentive bonus for paddy; and

(f) if so, the details thereof indicating the benefits likely to accrue to the farmers as a result thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (PROF. K.V. THOMAS)

(a) Yes, Madam.

(b) to (d): The MSP of Copra, Paddy, Arhar (Tur), Moong, Sesamum, Wheat, Barley, Gram and Safflower have been raised over their last year`s MSP. A statement indicating the MSPs of Kharif and Rabi crops and Copra for 2008-09 and 2009-10 seasons is at Annexure.

(e) & (f): An incentive bonus of Rs. 50 per quintal for Paddy, over and above its MSP, has been announced by the Government. The payment of bonus, over and above the MSP of Paddy, benefits the farmers through increase in their income.