Question : Prices of Farm Produce

(a) whether the Government is considering to frame a policy to intervene in agricultural markets whenever prices of farm products plunge below the Minimum Support Prices (MSP);

(b) if so, the details thereof along with the main features of the policy;

(c) whether the Government has consulted various State Governments in this regard, if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether the Government is also considering to involve farmer organizations in this regard, if so, the details thereof and the time by which the policy will be put into operation; and

(e) the steps taken by the Government to provide MSP for farm produce to the farmers so that the farmers are not forced to sell their farm products under distress?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

‡ãðŠãäÓã ??? ????? ?????? ½ãâ¨ããÊã¾ã ½ãñâ À㕾㠽ãâ¨ããè ( SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

(a) to (e): There is already a mechanism to ensure payment of Minimum Support Price (MSP) to the farmers. Under which, as per prescribed guidelines, procurement is made by Government agencies at MSP in consultation with the concerned State Government when market price of notified farm produce of Fair Average Quality (FAQ) goes below MSP. However, if farmers gets better price in comparison to MSP, they are free to sell their produce in open market.

Further, with a view to make the existing procurement mechanism more efficient, a concept note on decentralized mechanism of procurement has been circulated to State Governments/UTs. Pulses, Oilseed and Nutri Cereals for which MSP is declared by Government are covered under this concept note and States/UTs will have the latitude to dispose of the procured commodities in the manner they find it most suitable.





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