Ziraat Times Agri Team
Srinagar: The Union Cabinet today approved several economic support measures for farmers, agricultural sector employees, MSMEs and street vendors, in what the government claimed were ‘historic’ decisions.
Under the new measures, the central government hiked MSP for sunflower seed to Rs 5,885/100 kg, jowar hybrid to Rs 2,620/100 kg, maize to Rs 1,850/100 kg, and tur to Rs 6,000/100 kg.
So far there were no indications of any similar Minimum Support Price (MSP) scheme for farmers of cherry, strawberry, apples and like fruits in Kashmir, whose prices are likely to be affected by the ongoing lockdown and transportation challenges.
Pertinently, farmers in Kashmir have been asking for MSP for some of the vegetables and perishable fruits that have fetched below-normal prices due to the existing lockdown.
Union Minister Prakash Javdekar also announced that a new law is to be framed to give farmers the option to choose the market where they want to sell their produce by removing inter-state trade barriers and providing e-trading of agriculture produce.
Commenting on the development, Director Agriculture Department Kashmir Altaf Andrabi told Ziraat Times that “It was a great idea”.
Ajaz Ahmad Bhat, Director Horticulture Department Kashmir said that any such “additional facilities for farmers would be appreciated.”
Meanwhile, Union Minister Prakash Javdekar announced MSP for Kharif crops to be 50-83% over the cost. However, details were not immediately available.
Among the decisions taken today, MSME definition was relaxed, and easier loans for street vendors and farmers were announced.
This is the first cabinet briefing after the Modi government has announced to gradually lift the lockdown restrictions.
In PM Narendra Modi’s economic package of Rs 21 lakh crore, the government kept Rs 1.63 lakh crore aside for the agriculture sector. Along with bringing major agriculture reforms, the government has amended the stringent Essential Commodities Act (ESA) to remove cereals, edible oil, oilseeds, pulses, onions, and potato from its purview.
However, even before the centre had announced the agro reforms, states like Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh had announce similar reforms to help the farmers of their respective states.
UP CM Yogi Adityanath had announced that fruits and vegetables farmers in the state will not have to pay mandi fee for selling their produce and the mandi fee for 46 perishable fruits and vegetables were also waived off.
Shivraj Singh Chouhan-led MP government also relieved the farmer by allowing them to sell their produce in a more competitive market.
With no elected government in place in Jammu & Kashmir at the moment, it is uncertain how the new measures will be implemented in the new ‘union territory.’