Govt procures 3,273 tonnes of moong at MSP plus bonus rate

The Centre has so far procured 3,273 tonnes of moong directly from farmers at the minimum support price (MSP) plus bonus rate, to protect their interest. Normally, the arrival of most kharif (summer) crops begins from October. But, the new moong crop has started hitting the market early and mandi prices are ruling below the MSP level.

To help farmers from falling prices, the government has started procurement of pulses at the MSP plus bonus rate. The procured pulses are kept as buffer stock, which the government aimed at expanding to around 2 million tonnes this year.

"The government agencies have procured 3,273.16 tonnes of moong as on September 19, 2016, benefiting 330 farmers," the food ministry said in a statement.

Three government agencies — Food Corporation of India, National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Fedration of India and Small Farmers’ Agribusiness Consortium — have set up about 200 centres to procure moong directly from farmers at the MSP of Rs 4,800 per quintal and bonus of Rs 425 per quintal.

Pulses procurement commenced in the second week of this month in Karnataka, Maharashtra, Madhya Parades, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

The agencies have been directed to publicize their procurement activities among farmers through various modes in local languages, so that farmers can get the benefit of the MSP.

The Centre is aggressively procuring pulses as it wants to encourage farmers to grow lentils in the ensuing rabi season beginning next month.

The country's pulses output target is to harvest bumper 20-21 million tonnes this year on hopes of good monsoon after two consecutive years of drought.

Severe drought had dragged down the pulses production to 16.47 million tonnes in financial year (FY) 2015-16 and 17.15 million tonnes in FY15 from the record of 19.25 million tonnes in FY14, prompting price hikes.