Consider the following statements.1. Minimum Support Price (MSP) is a...
- Minimum Support Price (MSP) is a form of market intervention by the Government of India to insure agricultural producers against any sharp fall in farm prices and a guaranteed price to save farmers from distress sale.
- The MSPs are announced at the beginning of the sowing season for certain crops based on the recommendations of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP, 1985).
- The major objectives are to support the farmers from distress sales and to procure food grains for public distribution.
Consider the following statements.1. Minimum Support Price (MSP) is a...
Explanation:
The correct answer is option D, i.e., statement 1 only is correct.
Explanation of each statement:
1. Minimum Support Price (MSP) is a form of market intervention by the Government of India to insure agricultural producers against any sharp fall in farm prices.
- This statement is correct. The Minimum Support Price (MSP) is the price at which the government purchases crops from the farmers, ensuring them a minimum guaranteed price for their produce. The objective of MSP is to provide a safety net to the farmers and protect them from any sharp fall in farm prices. It acts as a form of insurance for agricultural producers.
2. But it does not guarantee the price.
- This statement is incorrect. The MSP does guarantee a minimum price to the farmers for their produce. The government purchases the crops at the MSP if the market price falls below it. This ensures that farmers do not suffer losses due to a sharp fall in prices. However, it is important to note that MSP is not a fixed price for all agricultural commodities and varies for different crops.
3. The MSPs are announced at the beginning of the sowing season for certain crops based on the recommendations of the Department of Agricultural Research And Education.
- This statement is incorrect. The MSPs are not announced based on the recommendations of the Department of Agricultural Research And Education. The MSPs are determined by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) based on the recommendations of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP). The CACP takes into account various factors such as cost of production, demand-supply situation, market prices, and international prices while recommending the MSPs. The MSPs are usually announced before the sowing season to provide farmers with an assurance of the minimum price they would receive for their crops.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, statement 1 is correct as MSP is a form of market intervention by the government to insure agricultural producers against any sharp fall in farm prices. Statement 2 is incorrect as MSP does guarantee a minimum price to the farmers. Statement 3 is incorrect as the MSPs are not announced based on the recommendations of the Department of Agricultural Research And Education.
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