Agriculture and Allied Sectors (Part – IV)

Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI) is located in Mysuru (Mysore), Karnataka. It was established in 1950.

National Academy of Agricultural Research Management (NAARM) is located in Hyderabad, Telangana. It was established in 1976.

The Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute is located in Jhansi, U.P.. It was established in 1962.

The International Potato Centre (CIP) was founded in 1971 as a research-for-development organization with a focus on potato, sweet-potato and andean roots and tubers. It delivers innovative science-based solutions to enhance access to affordable nutritious food, foster inclusive sustainable business and employment growth, and drive the climate resilience of root and tuber agri-food systems. It is headquartered in Lima, Peru.

Neeru-Meeru (water and you ) water-harvesting programme was started in the State of Andhra Pradesh in the year 2000.

With the amendment of the Sugarcane (Control) Order, 1966 on 22.10.2009, the concept of Statutory Minimum Price (SMP) of sugarcane was replaced with the 'Fair and Remu- nerative Price (FRP)' of sugarcane for 2009-10 and subse- quent sugar seasons. Under the FRP system, the farmers are not required to wait till the end of the season or for any announcement of the profits by sugar mills or the Govern- ment. The new system also assures margins on account of profit and risk to farmers, irrespective of the fact whether sugar mills generate profit or not and is not dependent on the performance of any individual sugar mill.

The Union Government now does not fix the Statutory Minimum Price (SMP) of sugarcane but determines its Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP). On October 22, 2009 the government issued the Sugarcane Control (Amendment) Order, 2009 to amend the Sugarcane Control Order of the year 1966, By this amendment in the order of 1966, the concept of Statutory Minimum Price of sugarcane was replaced with the 'Fair and Remunerative Price' of sugarcane for 2009-10 and subsequent sugar seasons. Sugar and sugarcane are essential commodities under Essential Commodities Act, 1955. So the first statement is wrong and the second one is correct.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approves the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) of the sugarcane on the basis of the recommendations of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) in consultation with the State Governments and after taking feedback from the associations of sugar industry.

The economic cost of foodgrains to the Food Corporation of India (FCI) is a total of acquisition cost (Minimum Support Price with bonus paid to the farmers and procurement incidentals) plus distribution cost.

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. MSPs are currently announced for 24 commodities includes 7 cereals (Paddy, Wheat, Barley, Jowar, Maize, Ragi and Bajra); five pulses (Gram, Arhar/Tur, Moong, Urad and Lentil); 8 oilseeds (Groundnut, Rapeseed/Mustard, Toria, Soyabean, Sunflower, Sesamum, Safflower and Nigerseed), Copra, Cotton, Jute, and De-husked Coconut. Besides these crops, the Government also announces Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) for Sugarcane.

Even the government announced MSP for 24 crops, MSP related public procurement is largely limited to a few foodgrains such as rice, wheat, and, to a limited extent, pulses. The procurement is also limited to a few States, due to varying land holding size and production of crops. Hence, statement (1) is incorrect.

MSP fixed for each crop is uniform for the entire country. However, there is no instances of MSP is fixed in any state/ UT at a level to which the market price will never rise. Hence, statement (2) is also incorrect.