Haryana seeks higher MSP for kharif crops

In a move,which if implemented by the Centre,may bring cheer to the farmers,the Haryana government has approved a proposal to seek much higher Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for various crops for the Kharif season 2012-13. Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda has approved a proposal in this regard to be sent to the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP). The hike in the MSP has been proposed in wake of the increase in cost of cultivation of paddy,bajra,maize and cotton,which has gone up due to the increase in labour charges and higher cost of agricultural inputs during the current year.

Disclosing this here on Friday,a spokesman of the Haryana government said that the state had proposed MSP of Rs 1,800 per quintal for the common variety of paddy; Rs 1,880 per quintal for the fine variety; and Rs 1,960 per quintal for the super variety. The MSP fixed by the Centre for 2011-12 was Rs 1,080 per quintal for the common variety and Rs 1,110 per quintal for fine and superfine variety (Grade A).

The state has sought MSP of Rs 1,215 per quintal for Bajra for 2012-13 against Rs 980 fixed by the Centre during 2011-12. Similarly for maize,Haryana has proposed MSP of Rs 1,730 per quintal for 2012-13 against Rs 980 fixed for 2011-12. The MSP proposed for cotton (America) is Rs 3,900 per quintal against Rs 3,300.

The spokesman said that the cost of cultivation of paddy,bajra,maize and cotton had gone up due to the increase in labour charges and higher cost of agricultural inputs during the current year. The cost of production of paddy had gone up by six per cent during 2011-12 as compared to 2010-11,and would shoot up by 22.6 per cent in 2012-13.