(a) whether the Government has any statistics regarding the Minimum Support
Price (MSP) received by the farmers during procurement of farm produce during the
current season;
(b) if so, the details thereof including the total procurement done by the
Government, State-wise including Odisha; and
(c) the steps taken by the Government to provide MSP to the farmers in the
country?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES
(SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)
(a) & (b): Procurement of rice and wheat undertaken by the designated Central,
State and Cooperative Agencies in the States including Odisha at the Minimum
Support Prices during 2012-13 is at Annexure.
(c): To ensure that the farmers receive MSP for their produce, Food Corporation of
India (FCI) in consultation with State Governments operates sufficient number of
purchase centres. The State Governments have been instructed to engage Self Help
Groups (SHGs)/Societies etc. who can have better reach in the procurement areas
leading to higher levels of procurement. To ensure that the benefit of MSP reaches
the farmers, the field units of FCI have been directed to make payments through
account payee cheques/electronic mode, wherever possible. In order to spread
awareness regarding MSP operations, wide publicity is given through pamphlets,
banners, sign boards and advertisements through print and electronic media regarding
MSP, quality specifications, purchase system, etc.