Copra MSP raised by Rs 40 a quintal

New Delhi, Jan 10 (UNI) The minimum support price (MSP) of Copra for 2008 season was today raised by Rs 40 a quintal, to safequard the interest of coconut growers in the country.

The MSP for fair average quality of milling copra has been fixed at Rs 3,660 a quintal and of ball copra at Rs 3,910 a quintal, Finance Minister P Chidambaram told newspersons after the meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) that took the decision.

''The increase is expected to encourage the farmers to step up investment in coconut cultivation and raise production and productivity of the commodity in the country,'' he said.

The decision was taken on the recommendations of the Commission for Agricultural Cost and Prices (CACP).

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