MSP refers to:a)Minimum Support Priceb)Maximum Support Pricec)Mostly S...
Correct answer is option 'A', "Minimum Support Price (MSP)". MSP stands for Minimum Support Price which refers to the price set by the government for a particular agricultural commodity below which the market price should not fall. This is the price at which the government procures the food grains from farmers for creating buffer stocks to ensure food security and also to protect the interests of farmers. The MSP is set to provide a floor price to the farmers and protect them from any sharp fall in prices of agricultural commodities due to excess supply or any other factors.
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MSP refers to:a)Minimum Support Priceb)Maximum Support Pricec)Mostly S...
**Explanation:**
The correct answer is option 'A' - Minimum Support Price (MSP).
**Meaning of MSP:**
Minimum Support Price (MSP) is a price at which the government purchases crops from the farmers to support them and ensure they get a reasonable income for their produce. It is the minimum price set by the government to safeguard the interests of the farmers and protect them from market fluctuations.
**Importance of MSP:**
MSP plays a crucial role in ensuring food security and providing income stability to the farmers. It acts as a safety net for the farmers by guaranteeing them a minimum price for their produce, thereby encouraging agricultural production and protecting the farmers from price crashes in the market.
**Features of MSP:**
- **Price Determination**: The MSP is announced by the government before the sowing season based on the recommendations of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP). It takes into account various factors such as input costs, market prices, demand-supply conditions, inflation, and income levels of farmers.
- **Crop Coverage**: MSP is applicable to various crops such as rice, wheat, pulses, oilseeds, and cotton, among others. The government declares MSP for each crop to ensure that farmers receive fair prices for their produce.
- **Procurement Mechanism**: The government procures crops directly from farmers at MSP through various agencies such as Food Corporation of India (FCI), National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED), and State Agencies. The procured crops are used for public distribution, buffer stock creation, and other welfare programs.
- **Price Support**: MSP acts as a price support mechanism for farmers. If the market prices of crops fall below the MSP, the government intervenes and purchases the crops at the MSP to protect the farmers from distress selling and provide them with a remunerative price.
**Conclusion:**
Minimum Support Price (MSP) is a government policy that ensures farmers receive a fair and remunerative price for their crops. It helps in stabilizing farm incomes, encouraging agricultural production, and safeguarding the interests of farmers.
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