The Anandiben Patel government in Gujarat is set to offer Rs. 100 as bonus above the minimum support price (MSP) Rs. 820 to cotton farmers, who are apparently upset at low MSP fixed by the NDA government when the cotton prices have crashed internationally.
“Chief Minister has cleared the proposal to provide bonus in addition to the MSP Rs. 820 per 20 kg in a move to help farmers, who are distressed in the State,” said a top official in the CMO.
According to him, issue of financial aid to the cotton farmers was discussed in the State Cabinet on Tuesday where the CM gave her go ahead.
Gujarat being the largest cotton producer in the country, its one of the major cash crops after groundnut and area under its cultivation is 2.7 million hectare. The current year’s production is estimated to be 8.5 to 9 million bales while the last year's production stood at 9.5 million bales.
