HARYANA'S MSP PROMISE WILL BE UNMET WITHOUT CENTRE'S NOD

CHANDIGARH The Haryana government's recent decision giving guarantee to procure all 24 notified crops at the Minimum Support Price (MSP) fixed by the Centre has ignited a debate among economics experts and farmers.

- NEERAJ MOHAN

While the Nayab Singh Saini government is being praised for its proactive stance, doubts loom over its ability to implement this policy without the Centre's support.

Haryana has long been a pioneer in farmer welfare, introducing schemes like 'Bhavantar Bharpai Yojana', direct MSP payments to farmers, timely sugarcane payments, and MSP procurement for 14 crops, including staples like paddy, wheat, and mustard. However, the new notification expanding MSP coverage to 24 crops, such as ragi, soyabean, sunflower, and maize, raises questions about its practicality.

Since the MSP rates are set by the Union government, based on recommendations from the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP), which evaluates factors like production costs, market demand, and price trends. Final approval comes from the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister.