Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced on Monday that the central government has cleared the procurement of sunflower at the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for Karnataka. The procurement will be carried out under the Price Support Scheme (PSS), with a total quantity of 9,023 metric tonnes of sunflower to be purchased from farmers in the state.
Details of the Procurement
The decision comes as a relief to sunflower growers in Karnataka, who have been demanding MSP-based procurement to ensure fair prices for their produce. The PSS is a central government initiative aimed at protecting farmers from price fluctuations by ensuring they receive the MSP for their crops. Under this scheme, designated agencies procure the produce at the support price, which is fixed by the government based on the recommendations of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP).
Government's Commitment to Farmers
Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who holds the portfolio of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, emphasized the government's commitment to the welfare of farmers. He stated that the procurement of sunflower at MSP will help stabilize the market and provide financial security to growers. The minister also urged state authorities to ensure a smooth procurement process and timely payments to farmers.
Impact on Karnataka's Agriculture
Karnataka is one of the major sunflower-producing states in India, and the MSP procurement is expected to benefit thousands of farmers across the state. The move is also likely to encourage more farmers to cultivate sunflower, contributing to the country's edible oil production and reducing dependence on imports. The government has been taking several steps to boost oilseed production, including increasing the MSP for oilseeds and promoting their cultivation through various schemes.
The announcement was made via a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), where Chouhan shared the details of the approval. He also mentioned that the procurement would be monitored closely to ensure transparency and efficiency.
