Fix MSP for millet: Agriculture panel tells Karnataka govt

In order to encourage millet farmers, the Karnataka Agriculture Price Commission (KAPC) has urged the state government to come up with a Minimum Support Price (MSP) and strengthen its commercialisation.

In a report submitted to Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Tuesday, the KAPC has recommended that the government fix an MSP of anywhere between Rs 4,500 and Rs 5,000 per quintal, since the Centre has not declared such an MSP for millet.

Karnataka is growing millet in an area of 61,000 hectares and produces 42,000 tonnes of various millets, the Commission said. That apart, it suggested that the government encourage millet growers by directly buying produce from them and including millets in mid-day meals. It can also be distributed in the kits give under government schemes for pregnant women, to enhance their nutrition, it added.

The report made recommendations to strengthen the production and commercialisation of millet, apart from utilising the Public Distribution System (PDS) to increase farmers' income. The Centre spends about Rs 12,000 crore for PDS. If it procures what is required for PDS at MSP from the state's farmers, it will not only ensure income for farmers but also boost the state's economy, it said. The state produces 55 lakh tonne of paddy, 13 lakh tonne ragi, 10 lakh tonne of jowar, it said.