“India imported 2.67 Million metric tons of pulses last year worth Rs.166 billions” read a report from internet. The average price per kg works out to be Rs.61.5. Will our farmers be able to produce and sell for this price, asked my simple mind. I live in North Karnataka where the normal average production of Red gram in Gulbarga or Bidar district is 15 qtl./ ha. so a farmer will get about Rs.92,250/- from this import price if offered as MSP (Minimum support price) by govt. By the normal observation, most farmers shall be happy to sell to government on this rate. Government stands to gain in multiple ways in promoting such planned, mandated production cum buy back
- It will gain the confidence of farmers
- Local production will add to self-reliance and food security of our country
- Local employment will increase
- Govt will save foreign exchange and many other encumbrances
- Entropy will be certainly reduced
an overall win-win for all.
n the light of the fact that 3 very important laws for agriculture reforms got stalled (stopped?) by a strong lobby of northern farming community; will the Ministry of Agriculture seriously consider at least changing the focus of MSP from wheat, rice etc. to nutritional food ingredients of the rainfed farming areas like Red gram, black gram, all millets (ragi, jowar, bajra, makai and some oilseeds too). It’ll stand to gain
- Confidence of 58% of farming community which lives in rainfed areas
- Food and nutritional security of the country
- local employment generation for the youth
- reduced carbon footprint since these communities consume a whole lot of the same commodities
- Support from international development community since it has been focusing on this for long
Some simple, powerful steps towards rainfed areas are urgently needed. anyone hearing?????