Support price for jowar, ragi soon

The government had announced Rs 2,000 per quintal, which the farmers were unhappy with

The State Agriculture Price Commission will shortly recommend the revised support price for jowar and ragi crops, said commission chairman Prakash Kammaradi.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a workshop on the production of jowar, organised in connection with the government’s plans to incorporate jowar and ragi into the Anna Bhagya scheme here on Monday, Kammaradi said that the commission would recommend the revised support prices for these crops before September 15 so the farmers benefit for the rabi crop.

The government had announced Rs 2,000 per quintal as the support price for jowar and ragi. But, the farmers were unhappy with the price. Hence, the commission has decided to organise workshops in different parts of the state and receive feedback from farmers.

The commission would recommend the revised support prices after considering all factors, including the cost of production, labour component and others, Kammaradi said.

The state government intends to incorporate jowar and ragi into the Anna Bhagya, mid-day meal and Food Security Act programmes. To include jowar and ragi in these schemes, the state needs to produce a minimum of 1 million tonnes of these grains every year.

Unfortunately, the farmers have been moving away from cultivating these crops for various reasons, including poor profitability. Therefore, the government had released Rs 150 crore to bring 10,000 hectares under jowar and ragi crops each. But, farmers would agree to grow these crops only if attractive prices were offered, he said.

Organic produce

Kamaradi said, the commission, apart from recommending prices for the agricultural produces, will also look into several other aspects relating to agriculture. It will also handle issues related to organic farming. The commission will frame a price policy for organic produces and systematise the certification process in the days ahead, he said.