The UPA government on Thursday raised the minimum support price (MSP) for most rabi crops, encouraging the sowing exercise under way.
Aiming at making up the loss in kharif production due to delayed and poor rainfall, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), presided over by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, raised the minimum support price of wheat to be marketed in 2010-11 by Rs. 20 to Rs.1,100 per quintal.
This year, the government is aiming at achieving a production of 82 million tonnes of wheat striving to surpass last year’s record produce of 80.5 million tonnes which resulted from a hike in the MSP by Rs.80 per quintal.
Making the announcements, Home Minister P. Chidambaram said the government had hiked the MSP for the winter crop on the basis of a recommendation by the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices.
The MSP for gram (channa) was raised by Rs. 30 to Rs.1,760 per quintal, while the highest raise was made in the case of barley — up by Rs.70 to Rs.750 per quintal.
The MSP for safflower too was raised by Rs. 30 to Rs.1,680 per quintal.