MSP for Kharif Crops Hiked by 8-19%, Bonus Set to Come Later

10 Jun 2011 Evaluate

The government has increased the minimum support prices for the kharif season by 8% to 19% to incentivize farmers and compensate for higher input costs, but the higher purchase prices could stoke the already high food inflation. The Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) raised the MSP of paddy by Rs. 80 per quintal and those of pulses by Rs. 200-.400 per quintal.

The overall strategy of the government was that since there is more than sufficient stock of food grain, there is no need for a big jump in support prices. The MSP for oilseeds was increased sharply to incentivize cultivation to reduce dependence on imports amid signs that global food prices will remain high through to 2012.
The cost of farm production has risen by close to 20% y-o-y in FY11 following a hefty rise of 15% in FY10. This suggests that a sharp rise in MSPs will be necessary this year to cover farmers’ rising input costs, a potential negative for food inflation. According to a recent FAO recent report, prices for edible oil are likely to be high in the global market all of 2012 due to increased pressure on availability against demand.

Palmoil prices have gone up by 20% over one year globally. India is among the world's biggest importers of palm and soya bean oil. In line with the goals of reducing import dependence for traditional pulses over time and enthused by record production over the last two years the government also decided to maintain the momentum and announced decent increase. The support prices for Arhar and Moong have been fixed at a level higher by Rs. 100 per quintal than that recommended by the CACP. In addition, similar to last year an additional incentive at the rate of Rs. 500 per quintal for tur, urad and moong sold to government procurement agencies during the harvest/arrival period of two months shall also be given.

The increase in support for paddy is in keeping with higher input costs which have gone up by around 70% for paddy. The higher MSP is expected to increase the acreage under paddy this summer in key states including West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh where below MSP price for producers is threatening to disincentives sowing. The farm ministry had demanded Rs. 160 a quintal increase in the MSP for paddy.
This seems to suggest that the government may announce a bonus over and above the MSP for the 2011-12 closer to the harvesting season beginning September depending on the procurement. Coarse cereals, which are likely to be put on the public distribution system soon, have also seen an increase in MSP.

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