Why in News?
Around 2,000 Madhya Pradesh farmers under the Samyukt Kisan Morcha marched to Bhopal demanding 100% moong procurement at Minimum Support Price (MSP), against the current 25% cap under the central Price Support Scheme, along with fixes to fertiliser distribution.
Key Highlights
- Scale: Around 2,000 farmers marched to Bhopal.
- Organiser: March organised under the Samyukt Kisan Morcha banner.
- Demand: 100% moong procurement at MSP, against the current 25% cap.
- Scheme cited: Current cap operates under the central Price Support Scheme.
- Additional demand: Fixes to fertiliser distribution.
What is the Price Support Scheme (PSS)?
- A component of the PM-AASHA (Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan).
- Implemented by the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare.
- Provides physical procurement of notified pulses, oilseeds and copra at the Minimum Support Price (MSP) when market prices fall below MSP.
- Procurement is undertaken by Central Nodal Agencies in coordination with State governments.
What is Minimum Support Price (MSP)?
- MSP is the minimum price at which the government purchases crops from farmers to protect them from sharp price declines.
- Recommended by the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) and announced by the Central Government.
- MSP is currently announced for 23 crops.
“[2018, GS3, 10 marks] What do you mean by Minimum Support Price (MSP)? How will MSP rescue the farmers from the low-income trap?”
[2020] Consider the following statements:
1.In the case of all cereals, pulses and oil-seeds, the procurement at Minimum Support Price (MSP) is unlimited in any State/UT of India.
2.In the case of cereals and pulses, the MSP is fixed in any State/UT at a level to which the market price will never rise.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2