Lok Sabha Question No. 755 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-07
Subject: Procurement of Maize at MSP
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Ravneet Singh

## MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.755

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 7TH FEBRUARY, 2024

## PROCUREMENT OF MAIZE AT  MSP

## 755. SHRI RAVNEET SINGH BITTU:

Will the Minister of CONSUMER  AFFAIRS, FOOD  AND  PUBLIC

DiSTRiBUTiON 3qqttrT nv&, vr© ajt IIT#tf+% f+troT ++ be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the  Government has signed off  a plan to procure maize at
- federally fixed Minimum Support Prices (MSP);
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the reasons therefor;
- whether the  Government is  looking at  corn as  the  next big
- (c) commercial crop to bolster energy security in the country;
- (d) if  so, the details thereof along with  the targets, if any, fixed in this regard; and
- (e) the likely benefits to accrue to farmers of the country through these measures towards increasing their income and productivity?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY  OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SADHVI NIRANJAN JYOTI)

(a) & (b): As  per  Guidelines  for  procurement,  allocation, distribution  and disposal of  coarse  grains  dated-07.12.2021/28.03.2022/09.08.2023,  States may procure Jowar, Bajra, Maize, Barley & Ra9i and six minor millets from farmers at Minimum Support Price under central  pool subject to the prior approval of Government of  India, in consultation with FC:1. The whole quantity shall be distributed under PMGKAY (Pradhan MantriGaribKalyan Ann Yojana) in the  State/UT.

.2/-

(c) & (d):  The Governrnent is prornoting the production of maize as a major feed stock for grain based ethanol supply under Ethanol Blendingprogramme. Government is also providing assistance under coarse cereals component of National Food Security Mission since 2014-15 for  demonstration of  improved production technologies, distribution of hybrids/High Yielding Varieties (HWs),  plant  & soil protection management etc. for promoting maize cultivation  along with  improving the average yield of maize.

The Government has  also approved a  project  of  Indian Council of Agriculture  Research (ICAR) -Indian Institute  qf  Maize Research (lIMR) titled  'Maize research for  sustainable ethanol  production in  India'  to increase the production of high yielding maize varieties in catchment area of grain based distilleries.

The Government has also been fixing remunerative prices of ethanol produced from maize. The rewi£rn@rative price of ethanol from maize for ESY (Ethanol Sale Year) 2022-23 and ESY 2023-24 are as under:

(in t  per liter.)

| Feed stock/ESY   | 2022-23 (Dec-Oct)   | 2023-24 (Nov-Oct)   |
|------------------|---------------------|---------------------|
| Maize            | 66.07*              | 71 .86              |

(e): These positive initiatives  of the Government will  not only benefit the farmers by  ensuring MSP  but also strengthen the co-operative/PACS (Primary Agriculture Co-operative Societies)  by  providing a  line of business, thus increasing the income of farmers and improving agrieconorny.

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