(a) whether the farmers cultivating vegetables and fruits are not getting adequate price
for their produce;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
(c) the remedial steps taken by the Government to provide adequate support price to
these farmers;
(d) whether the Government proposes to set up co-operative societies on the lines of
the existing milk co-operatives for such produce in the country; and
(e) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI SHARAD PAWAR)
(a) to (e): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. 157 DUE FOR REPLY ON 4TH DECEMBER, 2012.
(a) to (e): Prices of fruits and vegetables are mainly governed by the market forces
of demand and supply, prevailing weather conditions, cost of transportation, cost of
storage and rising demand due to increasing incomes, urbanization, etc. By and large,
farmers are getting reasonable prices for fruits and vegetables.
Government implements Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) on the request of
State Governments for procurement of agricultural and horticultural commodities which
are generally perishable in nature and not covered under Price Support Scheme. MIS
is implemented when prices tend to fall below the economic levels/cost of production to
avoid distress sale during the peak arrival period of the produce. Procurement under
MIS is undertaken by National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India
Ltd. (NAFED) and by agencies designated by the State Government. The losses, if
any, in such operations are shared between the Central and State Governments.
Government implements programmes through National Cooperative
Development Corporation (NCDC) under which assistance is provided to cooperatives
for production, processing, marketing, storage, etc. of agricultural and horticultural
produce including fruits and vegetables.