Minimum support price for paddy should be increased: Modi

Patna, Dec 7 (UNI) Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi today described the lower Minimum Support Price (MSP) for paddy against wheat as unfortunate and urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to increase MSP for paddy on the pattern of wheat price.

Mr Modi here said the MSP for wheat was increased as per the recommedation of the Commission on Agriculture Cost and Prices, which also fixed the MSP for paddy at Rs 695 per quintal.

The commission must recommend the same price for paddy as well, he added.

He further maintained that paddy production involves more expenditure on the quality of seeds, fertilisers and irrigation than wheat production, therefore the farmers must be given genuine prices for it in the market.

''I am not against the increase of MSP for wheat but the farmers involved in paddy production should be encouraged and that is the reason I am in favour of increase in MSP for paddy,'' Mr Modi stated.

UNI