Efforts Made To Improve The Effectiveness & Transparency Of MSP

Minimum Support Panel (MSP) was set up by the government on Monday, which includes the members of  Samyukta Kisan Morcha- the body responsible for coordinating farmer protests against three now-repealed farm laws.

The panel is responsible for undertaking tasks to make the MSP system more effective and transparent, said the government.

The gazette said that it will pitch in suggestions on providing more autonomy to the Commission for the Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP), increasing its scientific rigour.

The panel will craft strategies to strengthen the agricultural marketing system based on changes in the country that are occurring to ensure farmers receive a fair price for their produce through the use of both domestic and export markets, it said. Furthermore, crop diversification and natural farming will be examined.

During the announcement of the repeal of three farm laws last November, Prime Minister Modi announced the formation of a committee that would improve transparency and effectiveness of the MSP system and make recommendations for promoting zero-budget agriculture. 

Sanjay Agarwal will chair the panel, which includes Niti Aayog, agricultural economists, other farmer organisations, scientists, government officials, cooperatives, award-winning farmers and members of agriculture universities.

Narendra Singh Tomar, the Agriculture Minister said in March that cropping patterns would change in accordance with the changing requirements of the country. 

He added that it will make MSPs more effective and transparent in order to encourage natural farming methods of agriculture, and the government is in process to set up a committee.