CACP Holds Meeting With Odisha & Other Eastern States: Will Centre Hike MSP For Kharif Crops?

Bhubaneswar: The Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) held a meeting with Odisha and other eastern states in Bhubaneswar on Friday to formulate MSP (Minimum Support Price) for Kharif crops.

Speaking at the meeting, CACP Chairman Professor Vijay Paul Sharma stressed on Minimum Support Price for Kharif crops. “We are the largest market in the world. We are a surplus country in paddy, wheat. Similarly, Shree Anna was a part of our diet earlier. Now people are realising this and trying to bring it back to the plate. Nowadays, we have to focus on the quality of seeds. So that we can produce excellent quality crops and we can export the surplus produces to foreign countries,” he said.

Apart from this, there is a need to reform the trade policy. This will especially benefit the farmers. He also emphasized on crop diversification, soil health management.

Inaugurating the meeting, Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Empowerment Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo said there is a huge demand in foreign countries for the goods we produce. Dedicated cargo services and freight corridor should be introduced to enhance foreign exports.

Noting that Odisha has produced excellent quality strawberries this year, he said it is also important to cultivate organically.

Principal Secretary, Agriculture Department, Arabinda Kumar Padhee, while delivering the welcome address, said that Odisha has made progress in the agriculture sector. Especially, the additional input assistance of Rs. 800 on top of the minimum support price of paddy has encouraged the farmers. Odisha is known as a leading state in the production of small millet.

Along with Odisha, officials of the Agriculture Departments of Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and West Bengal attended the meeting in person, while officials of Bihar joined through virtually.

Director Agriculture Prem Chandra Choudhary gave presentation before the team. Additional Director, Dr Rajesh Das delivered vote of thanks.