This is the second time in two years when so many products have been brought under the ambit of MSP.NEW DELHI: In a bid to financially empower tribals during the COVID-19 crisis, the Centre is planning to increase the minimum support price (MSP) of minor forest produce (MFP) by 16-30%.
The list of products will include 20 new items such as cardamom, turmeric and ginger, ban tulsi, ban jeera and raw bamboo brooms. Forest products collected by tribals in northeastern states will also be included.
The ministry of tribal affairs is likely to increase the MSP of 50 products which are collected by tribals from forests. The scheme, which was launched by the Congress-led UPA government in 2013-14, involves fixing MSP for identified MFPs collected by tribals in remote areas. These tribals then sell the MFPs in village marketplaces. If the market prices fall below MSP, the state government agencies move in to procure the produce. The decision to increase the MSP and include more items in the list comes at a time when the Centre is concerned that the tribals would not have adequate money for basic essentials.
The village marketplaces have been closed by state governments to avoid overcrowding. Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED), the nodal agency for the scheme, recommended the increase to ensure more disposable income for tribals. A decision was taken at a high-level meeting attended by 26 states through video conferencing on Thursday. The MSP was last increased in January 2019.
This is the second time in two years when so many products have been brought under the ambit of MSP. The ministry had doubled the products from 24 to 50 in 2018. With the new additions, 70 MFPs would now be under MSP scheme. TRIFED managing director Pravir Krishna said, “The decision was taken as the tribals need more help at this time. During the lockdown there is a lack of essentials. If the government agencies do not step in, the tribals would be pushed to sell their products to middlemen who would not give them the right price. We want to ensure they have enough food and money for essentials.”
Source: indiatimes.com
