'71% farmers unaware of MSP'

NEW DELHI: The government on Tuesday admitted the low reach of the agricultural extension service, saying that 71% of farmers in the country are either unaware or do not understand the concept of minimum support price (MSP).

MSP is the rate at which the government procures a particular commodity from farmers. ���Around 71% of farmers did not know or understand the concept of MSP,��� agriculture minister Sharad Pawar told the Lok Sabha, quoting a study by the National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO).

NSSO had carried out the situation assessment survey of farmers between January and December 2003. Mr Pawar said about 10% of the farmers were aware of the concept of MSP but not the procurement agency. He said that 19% of farmers not only understood the idea of MSP but also knew the agency, if not its name, its location to which they would sell their crop if the market price fell below MSP. The minister said the Centre has been supporting the states through a number of schemes to create awareness among farmers.

Agriculture-related information and knowledge is provided to farmers through 180 narrow casting centres, 18 regional centres, 96 FM radio stations and one national Doordarshan Kendra under the central scheme on mass media support to agriculture extension, Mr Pawar said.

This apart, agriculture technology management agencies have been set up in 583 districts for technology dissemination, he said.

In 2008-09, the government increased MSP of wheat by Rs 80 to Rs 1,080 a quintal, paddy by Rs 30 to Rs 880 a quintal, and cotton by Rs 970 to Rs 3,000 a quintal.