Previous Year Question
Consider the following:
Areca nut
Barley
Coffee
Finger millet
Groundnut
Sesamum
Turmeric
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has announced the Minimum Support Price for which of the above?
1, 2, 3 and 7
2, 4, 5 and 6
1, 3, 4, 5 and 6
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7
Correct Answer: B
Detailed Solution
The Union Government announces Minimum Support Prices for specified crops on the recommendations of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices. MSP decisions are generally announced after approval by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs.
The prevailing MSP framework ordinarily covers 22 mandated crops:
Fourteen Kharif crops
Paddy
Jowar
Bajra
Ragi
Maize
Arhar
Moong
Urad
Groundnut
Sunflower seed
Soybean
Sesamum
Niger seed
Cotton
Six Rabi crops
Wheat
Barley
Gram
Lentil
Rapeseed and mustard
Safflower
Two other commercial crops
Copra
Raw jute
A separate Fair and Remunerative Price—FRP is fixed for sugarcane.
Examination of the listed commodities:
Areca nut—No MSP: The Union Government does not announce a regular MSP for areca nut.
Barley—Covered by MSP: Barley is a mandated Rabi crop.
Coffee—No MSP: The Coffee Board supports research, production and marketing, but no regular MSP is announced for coffee.
Finger millet—Covered by MSP: Ragi is a Kharif millet for which MSP is announced.
Groundnut—Covered by MSP: It is a mandated Kharif oilseed.
Sesamum—Covered by MSP: It is also a mandated Kharif oilseed.
Turmeric—No MSP: Turmeric is a spice crop and does not have a regularly announced Union MSP.