The minimum sustenance price of wheat has been increased by Rs 50 per quintal (representative)
New Delhi:
The government announced tonight an increase in the minimum support price for agricultural products amid the big dispute from angry farmers, who worried that the new farm laws would affect the existing MSP system. The rise came after days of protests from farmers and assurances from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his ministers that the MSP will not be removed.
The MSP increase announced today covered wheat, the key crop in Punjab and Haryana, where farmers’ protest has been loudest. The MSP for wheat has increased by Rs 50 per quintal and will be Rs 1975 per quintal this season.
The other major crop in the area, mustard, will now sell for Rs 4,650 per quintal, a jump of Rs 225 per quintal.
The price of grams and lentils has also risen. The price of the gram has risen 225 rupees to reach 5,100 rupees. Lentils had the highest increase: Rs 300 a quintal and will now cost Rs 5,100 a quintal.
In a statement to the media, the government said that the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs or CCEA chaired by Prime Minister Modi approved the increase in MSPs for Rabi crops in accordance with the recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission.
“In view of the nutritional requirements and the change in dietary pattern and to achieve self-sufficiency in the production of legumes and oilseeds, the government has set a relatively higher MSP for these crops,” the government said. The differential remuneration aims to promote the diversification of crops.
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