The minimum support prices (MSP) of rabi pulses and oilseeds announced by the government recently include a bonus of ₹100 to ₹150 per quintal, according to the agriculture ministry.
On October 24, Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh announced the government’s decision to hike the minimum support price (MSP) of wheat, barley, gram, masoor, rapeseed/mustard seeds and safflower.
According to the ministry, the support price of ₹4,400 per quintal for gram includes a bonus of ₹150 per quintal. Similarly, a bonus of ₹100 per quintal will be provided on masur, rapeseed/mustard seed and safflower this year.
After taking the bonus into consideration, the MSP of masoor is ₹4,250 per quintal, that of rapeseed/mustard seed ₹4,000 per quintal, and safflower is ₹4,100 per quintal for the 2017-18 rabi season.
No bonus has been announced for wheat and barley, the MSP of which has been fixed at ₹1,735 per quintal and ₹1,410 per quintal, respectively. The government had announced the bonus in the last two years in a bid to boost production of pulses and oilseeds, thereby reducing the country’s dependence on imports.
The sowing of rabi crops is underway and the government expects better output in view of a good monsoon.
