Agriculture

IANS: Amid rising prices of tomatoes, government had to intervene by selling them at cheaper prices through its own outlets. How much has been the subsidy burden? Singh: Subsidy burden has not been much, as the idea was to push prices down. A signal had to be given to the market that unnecessary hike cannot be permitted.

Food Corporation of India (FCI) Chairman Ashok Meena told media persons that to bring down wheat prices, there are several options available and if need arises, then import duty on wheat may also be reduced. There is 40 per cent import duty on wheat currently.

Minister for Food and Consumer Affairs, Commerce and Textiles Piyush Goyal said that the government's top priority is to keep inflation in check and therefore, in recent times, it has increased procurement so that the common man does not feel the pinch while the entire burden of price rise is borne by the government.

According to estimates released by the Department of Food and Consumer Affairs, the current wheat procurement crossed last year's total procurement of 188 LMT. More than 20 lakh farmers have benefitted from the current season's procurement, with more than Rs 47,000 crore payment of minimum support price (MSP).

Food Corporation of India (FCI) chairman Ashok Meena told media persons on Tuesday that wheat has been procured from Madhya Pradesh in Ujjain, Dewas, Indore, Shajapur and Sehore among others. It is also worthwhile to note that the total procurement last year during the month of March itself was around 10,000 metric tonnes only, whereas this year this figure has already been crossed on March 27, 2023, he informed further.

AIF scheme benefits are being extended to all farmers of all types without any discrimination and Scheme benefits including 3 per cent interest subvention and the collateral free loans with free guarantee cover are intended to extend the benefits to small and marginal farmers among others. In fact, the other farmer groups like SHGs, FPOs and other collectives are also eligible under AIF which benefits the small and marginal farmers, said the reply.

The reason? Vagaries of climate change, strong global demand, and rise in domestic demand. Even in the current fiscal, cereal prices have risen significantly on-year in the first ten months. While prices of wheat and paddy rose 8-11 per cent, those of maize, jowar and bajra jumped 27-31 per cent, the report notes.