(FE)
With the prices of soybean and pulses ruling below minimum support prices (MSP), procurement of these commodities at MSP under the Centre’s price support scheme ( PSS) will begin from October 16 in Maharashtra by NAFED.
Sadabhau Khot, Maharashtra’s minister of state for agriculture, said that the government has begun registration of farmers for the PSS, which is being done by NAFED from October 3. Around 83 centres have been established across the state and farmers are being issued tokens with likely dates on which they need to bring their produce to the mandis, he said.
Khot said that the state government has been given permission for the purchase of 10 lakh quintal of soyabean, 3.70 lakh quintal of urad and 3,47,500 quintal of moong. The MSP of soybean is Rs 3,050 per quintal, urad Rs 7,400 per quintal and moong Rs 5,575 per quintal.
Usually in the festive season, prices of pulses increase. But this year, the trend has reversed and prices of the Kharif crops, mainly pulses, oilseeds, and cereals are seen below the MSP. Prices of green gram, black gram, and soybean prices are the most affected. The huge carryover stock, lack of demand and the hangover of demonetisation are considered to be the main reasons for the fall in prices.
