(a) whether the task force on the rubber sector constituted by the Government has recommended that natural rubber be treated as an agricultural product;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the decision taken by the Government thereon;
(c) whether the task force has also recommended for including natural rubber under the MSP scheme and if so, the details thereof; and
(d) whether the Government has considered the same and if so, the details thereof?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
(SHRI HARDEEP SINGH PURI)
(a) to (d): The task force on rubber sector has recommended treating Natural rubber (NR) as an agricultural product and its inclusion under Minimum Support Scheme (MSP). The Government of India fixes MSP for 25 agricultural crops. These prices are fixed on the basis of recommendations of the Commission for Agricultural Costs & Prices (CACP). While recommending MSP of mandated crops, CACP considers various factors which inter-alia include cost of production, overall demand-supply situations of various crops in domestic and world markets, domestic and international prices, inter-crop price parity, terms of trade between agriculture and non-agriculture sector. Natural Rubber is not included in the selected 25 crops for which Minimum Support Price (MSP) is notified, as it does not fulfill most of the criteria for inclusion under MSP, and is not covered under the Comprehensive Scheme for studying the cost of cultivation of principal crops in India.
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