Lok Sabha Question No. 295 (STARRED), answered on 2016-12-06
Subject: Incentives for Pulses
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: HUKUM SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, COOPERATION & FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK  SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 295

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 6 TH  DECEMBER, 2016

## INCENTIVES FOR PULSES

*295. SHRI HUKUM SINGH:

Will  the  Minister  of  AGRICULTURE  AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण ½ãâ¨ããè be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  farmers  in  the  country  are  reportedly not  getting  adequate/right incentives  and  support  price  for  pulses  and  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  reasons therefor; (b) whether a panel headed by Arvind Subramanian has submitted report with regard to incentives and Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for pulses and if so, the details thereof and the response of the Government thereto; whether the Government proposes to review MSP and subsidy policy to incentivise
- (c) the farmers for growing pulses in the country and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the steps taken/being taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

½ãâ¨ããè

कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण

(SHRI RADHA MOHAN SINGH)

- (a) to (d): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (d)  OF  LOK  SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 295    DUE FOR REPLY ON 6 TH  DECEMBER, 2016.

(a)  &  (b):  Government  fixes  the  Minimum  Support  Prices  (MSPs)  of  various  crops including Pulses on the recommendations of the Commission for Agricultural Costs & Prices (CACP), the views of concerned State Governments and Central Ministries/Departments. Government  has  increased  the Minimum  Support  Prices (MSPs) of pulses for 2016-17 season. The MSPs for pulses for 2014-15, 2015-16 and 2016-17 are given below:

(Rs. Per Quintal)

| Pulse          |   2014-15 | 2015-16   | 2016-17   |
|----------------|-----------|-----------|-----------|
| Arhar          |      4350 | 4625^     | 5050$     |
| Moong          |      4600 | 4850^     | 5225$     |
| Urad           |      4350 | 4625^     | 5000$     |
| Gram           |      3175 | 3500#     | 4000^     |
| Masur (Lentil) |      3075 | 3400#     | 3950&     |

- ^ :  Including bonus of Rs. 200 per quintal.

$ : Including bonus of Rs. 425 per quintal.

- # ; Including bonus of Rs. 75 per quintal.
- &: Including Bonus of Rs. 150 per quintal

The  Government  offers  to  procure  crops  whenever  prices  fall  below  MSP. However, farmers are free to sell their produce to Government procurement agencies at MSP or in the open market as is advantageous to them.

A Committee constituted by Finance Ministry under Chairmanship of Dr. Arvind Subramanian, Chief Economic Adviser has recommended increase in MSP of pulses, strengthen  the procurement  machinery,  Genetically Modified (GM)  technologies in pulses etc.

(c) & (d):  There is no proposal to change the formula for determining MSPs at present. However,  Government  has  taken  several initiatives to increase production and productivity of pulses which inter alia includes National Food Security Mission (NFSM)Pulses,  Demonstrations  under  cropping  system  based  approach  to  target  rice  fallow areas  in  Eastern  India  for  pulses  under  Bringing  Green  Revolution  to  Eastern  India (BGREI), Front Line Demonstrations (FLDs) of pulses etc.

-2-

In addition, during 2016-17, Government has taken new initiatives for enhancing pulses production and productivity which, interalia, include distribution of seed minikits of newer varieties  of  pulses  free  of  cost,  production  of  quality  seed  (breeder,  foundation  and certified  seed),  creation  of  seeds  hubs  at  State  Agriculture  Universities  (SAUs)  and Krishi  Vigyan  Kendras  (KVSs),  strengthening  of  bio-fertilizers  and  bio  agent  labs  at SAUs/Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) institutes, technological demonstrations by KVKs,  enhancing breeder seed production under NFSM etc.

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