GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE

LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO: 3122

ANSWERED ON:24.04.2012

PRICES OF AGRICULTURAL INPUTS

ANANT KUMAR HEGDE

(a)whether there has been a spurt in the prices of seeds, diesel, fertilisers, pesticides and power during each of the last three years and the current year;

(b)if so, the extent to which the rates of the said inputs have risen during the above period; and

(c)the measures taken/being taken by the Government to control the prices of agricultural inputs?

Will the Minister of AGRICULTUREbe pleased to state:-

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS

(SHRI HARISH RAWAT) 

(a) & (b):The annual average of the Index Number of Wholesale Prices (Base 2004-05=100) for Agricultural Inputs for last three agriculture years (July to June) are given annexure. Source: Office of the Economic Adviser, Ministry of Commerce & Industry # upto March 2012.

(c):The effect of rising input cost of cultivation is balanced by way of assuring MSP that help the farmers to receive adequate returns on their investment. Central Government agencies and State level bodies through their procurement operations in the market help the farmers sell their produce at MSP especially when market prices rule below MSP for that commodity. Government also promotes various technologies and agronomic practices like Integrated Pest Management, Integrated Nutrient Management, Mechanisation, water conservation etc. to improve agricultural production and productivity and thereby bring down the cost of cultivation. Moreover, Government also improves the economic viability of farming through assistance to farmers under several programmes such as National Horticulture Mission, National Food Security Mission and Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana.