CACP will recommend MSP for cotton: CCEA

New Delhi, Nov 1 (UNI) The government today asked the Committee on Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) to recommend the minimum support price (MSP) for two varieties of cotton -- staple length 24.5-25.5 mm with micronaire value 4.3-5.1 and staple length 29.5-30.5 mm with 3.5-4.3 value.

For other classes of cotton, the Textile Commissioner will fix the MSP based upon the MSP fixed by CACP, Finance Minister P Chidambaram told reporters while briefing them on the decisions taken at the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA).

If the micronaire value is in the range of 3.8 to 4.2, a premium should be given over and above the MSP. If it happens to be less than 3.8 or more than 5.1, the MSP should be lower keeping in view the quality differential normal price differential and other relevant factors.

If the micronaire values are outside this range, then lower MSP should be worked out considering the quality-differentials, normal price differential and other relevant factors.

Along with the recommendation of MSP for the two classes of cotton, CACP will specify the varieties of cotton falling in these two categories on year-to-year basis. This will help the farmers and the procurement agencies to identify the cotton crops by their classes.

The baseline moisture content of cotton should be eight per cent.

The farmer selling cotton having moisture above 8 per cent will get less price proportionately, while it will be a proportionate incentive if the moisture content of the produce is less than eight per cent.

The Textiles Ministry would take steps to ensure that micronaire values are scientifically assessed to help the farmers, by providing the required infrastructure and facilities at the purchase centres.

UNI