(a) whether drought conditions in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal and Gujarat have caused an increase in the prices of Kharif pulses and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the recommendations of the Arvind Subramanian Committee on pulses submitted in September, 2016 have been implemented;
(c) if not, the reasons therefor; and
(d) the steps being taken by the Government to sustain producer interest in cultivation of pulses in a protein-deficient country?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
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(a) The prices of agricultural produce including pulses are determined by supply and demand conditions in the market on a day-to-day basis. Apart from demand and supply conditions, availability of stocks and international prices are also affecting prices of pulses. Drought condition in some states or parts of the country is unlikely to affect the prices of pulses significantly, as the production of pulses has increased substantially in 2016-17 and 2017-18. The all India average monthly wholesale prices of kharif pulses during 2018-19 are given below:
Contd…2/-
-2-
(Rs.per Quintal)
Month Arhar Moong Urad
June, 2018 4081 5270 4695
July, 2018 4160 5413 4678
August, 2018 4095 5282 4795
September, 2018 4088 5375 4755
October, 2018 4077 5410 4906
November, 2018 4458 5685 5228
(b) to (d): The Committee headed by Dr. Arvind Subramanian, Chief Economic Adviser had submitted its Report in September, 2016. Commission for Agricultural Costs & Prices (CACP) considers a host of factors while recommending Minimum Support Prices (MSPs) after broad based consultations and such inputs. Government has increased MSPs substantially for all mandated crops including pulses for the season 2018-19. This decision of the Government was a historic one as it fulfills the commitment to the farmers to provide 50 per cent return over cost of production for the first time for all mandated crops.
Apart from increase in MSP, procurement is made of the crops for which MSPs are announced through Central and State agencies. Government implements Price Support Scheme (PSS) for procurement of oilseeds, pulses and cotton through Central Nodal Agencies at MSP declared by the Government. This scheme is implemented at the request of the state government concerned which agrees to exempt the procured commodities from levy of mandi tax and other state duties. The basic objectives of PSS are to provide remunerative prices to the growers for their produce with a view to encourage higher investment and production and to safeguard the interest of the consumers by making available supplies at reasonable price with low cost of intermediation.
The recently launched Umbrella Scheme “Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay SanraksHan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA) provides for a holistic arrangement for assurance of a remunerative and stable price environment for growers /farmers to increase agriculture production and productivity. This Umbrella Scheme comprises Price Support Scheme (PSS) for pulses & oilseeds, Price Deficiency Payment Scheme (PDPS) & Pilot of Private Procurement & Stockist Scheme (PPSS) for oilseeds to ensure MSP to the farmers.
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