The Minimum Support Price (MSP) for paddy and other food crops announced by the Centre has evoked mixed response from farmers in Thanjavur and other delta districts.
A majority of the ryots have urged the Tamil Nadu Government to pressurise centre on Minimum Support Price (MSP) to paddy and other food crops. The MSP for corn witnessed a 53 per cent hike compared to the 15.74 per cent hike for paddy.
Rice being the staple food of people in many states, the Government has time and again left paddy farmers in lurch, said Vimalanathan of Cauvery Delta Farmers’ Association. There would be stiff opposition to the new MSP in Tamil Nadu, Orissa, AP and West Bengal, which were major paddy growing states in the country, opined Vimalanathan. “When the inflation and price hike has taken a toll on agriculture output, it is high time for the union government to implement the MS Swaminathan Committee recommendation for fixing the MSP,” said a section of farmers.