Substantial hike in MSPs for agri commodities: Cabinet

New Delhi, May 17 (UNI) The government today announced substantial hikes in the minimum support prices of paddy, jowar, bajra, ragi and several other agricultural commodities.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs decided to raise by Rs 65 a quintal the MSP for paddy to Rs 645 for common variety and Rs 675 for grade A. The MSPs would be effective from October 1 this year.

For jowar, the hike was Rs 65 for maldandi variety (to Rs 620) and Rs 60 for hybrid (to Rs 600).

The MSP for bajra and ragi was hiked by Rs 60 to Rs 600 a quintal. For maize, the hike was Rs 80 to make it Rs 620 for a quintal. Tur (arhar) would be procured at Rs 1590, a hike of Rs 180 and moong and urad at Rs 1740, both up Rs 220.

Groundnut in shell would fetch Rs 1550, a jump of Rs 30. Soyabean yellow would be procured at Rs 1050 (up Rs 30) and black at Rs 910 (up Rs 10). Sunflower seed would be paid Rs 1510, up Rs 10, and sesamum Rs 1580, a rise of Rs 20. Niger seed would also fetch Rs 20 more at Rs 1240.

Cotton (medium staple length) would be paid Rs 1800 (up Rs 30).

The long staple length would fetch Rs 2030, up Rs 40.

The prices for different varietal groups of rice be derived from the MSPs of paddy on the basis of hulling/milling ratios as well as the processing and incidental charges obtaining in different states.

In the case of cereals, FCI and other designated state agencies would continue to provide price support to the farmers, as in the past. NAFED would continue to be the nodal agency for the procurement of oilseeds and pulses and losses if any would be fully reimbursed by the Centre.

NAFED would also continue to undertake cotton procurement, in addition to Cotton Corporation of India.

UNI