Talks with Farmers on Crop Diversification Proposal
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Context
- The Centre presented a proposal for crop diversification in Punjab.
Centre's Proposal
- During the fourth round of talks with protesting farmers, the Centre presented a proposal for crop diversification in Punjab.
- The proposal aimed to address the issue of over-reliance on rice and wheat cultivation in the state.
- Government-promoted cooperatives would offer five-year contracts to procure five crops—tur (arhar), urad dal, masur (lentil), maize, and cotton—at minimum support prices (MSP).
Farmers' Response
- The farmers, however, rejected the proposal, demanding a legally guaranteed MSP for all crops across the country.
- They also reiterated their demand for the determination of crop prices as per the report of the Dr Swaminathan Commission.
Significance of Crop Diversification in Punjab
Current Crop Scenario
- More than 80% of Punjab's geographical area is under cultivation, mostly under rice and wheat.
- Paddy cultivation, in particular, has led to massive withdrawal of groundwater, threatening desertification.
Past Diversification Efforts
- Previous attempts at diversifying cropping patterns have not yielded significant results.
- The area under cotton and maize has decreased, while there has been a slight increase in pulses.
Major Producers of Proposed Crops
Pulses
- Masur: Major producers include Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar, and Jharkhand.
- Arhar (Tur): Maharashtra, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, and Jharkhand are the main producers.
- Urad: Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra are significant producers.
Cotton
- Punjab accounts for a small share of total cotton procurement in the country.
- While procurement by the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) in Punjab has been rising, overall figures remain low.
Government Procurement of Pulses and Cotton
Pulses
- The National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd (NAFED) procured 29.64 lakh tonnes of pulses at MSP under the Price Support Scheme (PSS) in 2022-23.
- However, there are challenges in the disposal of pulses procured under PSS, leading to losses for NAFED and affecting market prices.
Cotton
- Procurement of cotton in Punjab has been increasing, but Punjab's contribution to total procurement remains low.
- Punjab accounts for about 5% of the total cotton procurement by CCI in the country.
CROP DIVERSIFICATION: https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/crop-diversification#:~:text=Crop%20diversification%20means%20growing%20more,cropping%20system%20currently%20in%20use.
MSP: https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/minimum-support-price-msp-19
Pros of Guaranteed Minimum Support Price (MSP) Income Security for Farmers: Guaranteed MSP ensures that farmers receive a minimum price for their crops, providing them with income security. Price Stability: MSP helps in maintaining price stability in the market by setting a floor price for agricultural commodities. Agricultural Growth: It encourages farmers to invest in agricultural practices, leading to increased production and agricultural growth. Social Welfare: Ensures food security for the country by incentivizing farmers to grow essential crops. Rural Development: MSP contributes to rural development by ensuring a stable income for farmers, which in turn boosts rural economy. Cons of Guaranteed Minimum Support Price (MSP) Market Distortion: MSP can lead to market distortion by creating a price barrier that may not reflect the actual demand and supply dynamics. Budgetary Pressure: Ensuring MSP for all crops puts a strain on the government's budget, especially in years of bumper harvests. Inefficiency: It can lead to inefficiency in resource allocation as farmers may focus on crops with guaranteed MSP rather than those with higher demand or better market prices. Procurement and Storage Challenges: MSP often leads to excess production, requiring the government to procure and store the surplus, which can be logistically challenging and costly. Disparity Among Farmers: MSP benefits are not equally distributed among all farmers, leading to disparities based on crop choices and regional differences. |
National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd (NAFED) The National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd (NAFED) is an apex organization of marketing cooperatives for agricultural produce in India. Background and Establishment
Objectives
Functions and Activities
Initiatives and Achievements
Challenges
Way Forward
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PRACTICE QUESTION Q. Discuss the importance of crop diversification in Indian agriculture. Examine the challenges faced in achieving successful crop diversification, with a focus on Punjab. Suggest measures to promote crop diversification and ensure sustainable agricultural practices in the country. |