The BJP-led Haryana government today asked the Centre to replace the 'Minimum Support Price' with 'Profitable Price' in consonance with the Swaminathan Commission's recommendations under which farmers would be given 50 per cent profit over and above cost of production.
"Minimum Support Price for farmers tends to become the 'Maximum Support Price', which fails to serve the basic purpose of providing adequate profit to farmers," the state government has written to the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices.
Without ensuring a minimum lucrative and profitable price to farmers, required growth level in agriculture in proportion to other sectors of economy, cannot be achieved, the state government said.
An official spokesman said after the approval of the Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, the state government has written to the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices over the matter.
However, if due to constrains of the resources, it is not feasible to give the increase of 50 per cent in one go, the Central government might strive for giving 20 per cent increase in the average cost of production of crops in last two years plus 10 per cent profit in the first instance, the letter said.
The ultimate objective is to fully implement the recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission by increasing the profit of farmers in a phased manner, in coming years, the state government said.
For Paddy crop, the recommended MSP with 20 per cent increase in the average cost of production of crops in last two years and 10 per cent increase on the cost is Rs 2,193.10 whereas the cost of production per quintal including 20 per cent increase of last two years average cost of production was Rs 1,993.72.
Similarly, the recommended MSP with 20 per cent increase and 10 per cent increase on the cost of Bajra is Rs 1,557.48 and Maize is Rs 2,041.57 whereas the cost of production per quintal including 20 per cent increase of last two years average cost of production was Rs 1,415.89 and Rs 1,853.25 respectively.
Likewise, the recommended MSP with 20 per cent increase and 10 per cent increase on the cost is Rs 5,367.78 for Cotton crop whereas the cost of production per quintal including 20 per cent increase of last two years average cost of production was Rs 4,879.80.
