Farmers to get MSP of Rs 850 per quintal wheat this season

New Delhi, Mar 16 (UNI) The Government will give a bonus of Rs 100 per quintal for the Rabi season, which means farmers will get a Minimum Support Price (MSP) of Rs 850 per quintal of wheat, an increase of Rs 150 over last year's MSP.

Minister of State for Food and Agriculture Akhilesh Prasad made this announcement in the Lok Sabha.

He said this is being done to compensate the anticipated loss in the wake of the unseasonal rains and hailstorm which lashed most northern parts of the country.

He said apart from this the Government has also decided to extend the duty free import of wheat till December 31, 2007 which ordinarily expired on December 31, 2006.

Besides, it has also been decided that, if required, the State Trading Corporation (STC) will be asked to make the arrangements for the import of 30 lakh tonnes of wheat to maintain an adequate buffer stock as well as to check any price rise in the domestic market.

UNI