Milling copra MSP hiked by Rs 300/qtl; ball copra by Rs 330

The government today hiked the minimum support price (MSP) of milling copra for 2015 season by Rs 300 to Rs 5,550 a quintal to boost coconut cultivation.
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) also approved an increase of Rs 330 per quintal in MSP of 'ball copra' at Rs 5,830 per quintal.
"The CCEA has given its approval to increase the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for Fair Average Quality (FAQ) of 'Milling Copra' for 2015 season to Rs 5,550 per quintal. This is an increase of Rs 300 per quintal over the previous year's MSP," an official statement said.

"The MSP of 'Ball Copra' for 2015 season will be Rs 5,830 per quintal. This is an increase of Rs 330 per quintal over the previous year's MSP," it added.
The approved prices are as per the recommendations by the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP).
Milling copra is used to extract oil, while edible grade of copra (ball copra) is consumed as a dry fruit and used for religious purposes.

"The MSPs of Copra are expected to ensure appropriate minimum prices to farmers and step up investment in coconut cultivation and thereby production and productivity in the country," the statement said.

Co-operative NAFED would continue to act as the central nodal agency to undertake price support operations at the MSP in coconut growing states.
In addition to NAFED, the Central Warehousing Cooperation (CWC), the National Cooperative Consumer Federation of India Limited (NCCF) and the Small Farmers Agri-Business Consortium (SFAC) are also allowed to participate in procurement operations.