Ministry of Agriculture, Forest and Environment Achieves Progress in Setting Minimum Support Prices for Major Food Grains

Kathmandu. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forest and Environment has achieved progress in setting the minimum support price (MSP) and purchase price for major food grains.

The work related to the MSP of major food grains, mentioned in point 90 'Ka' of the government's 100 points of administrative reform, has been completed.

Minister Gita Chaudhary has already issued the 'Directive on Setting Minimum Support Price and Minimum Purchase Price, 2082'. Based on this, significant progress has been achieved in the MSP of food grains. The directive was approved by a ministerial decision on May 16, 2083, registered with the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, and published on the ministry's website.

Minister Chaudhary stated that since the MSP will be determined before sowing the crops according to the directive, farmers can choose crops according to their convenience. This will make it easier for farmers to decide whether to cultivate, not cultivate, or choose alternative farming based on their costs, potential income, and market conditions, she said. 'Once the price farmers will receive is determined in advance, they can decide on the basis of that whether to cultivate that crop or seek other alternatives,' she said.

The MSP for wheat and Chaithe rice for the fiscal year 2082/83 has already been approved by the Council of Ministers. Similarly, the minimum support price for paddy for the fiscal year 2083/84 was also determined by the Council of Ministers meeting held on May 11, 2083. According to the decision, the price for coarse paddy has been set at Rs 3,660 per quintal and for medium paddy at Rs 3,860 per quintal.

Meanwhile, the ministry has moved forward with the process of determining the MSP for paddy for the upcoming fiscal year. Mentioning that there was no system to fix the MSP for paddy in the past, the ministry is preparing to submit a proposal to the Council of Ministers to determine the price by the end of February next year.

In the case of sugarcane, the minimum purchase price for the fiscal year 2082/83 has already been determined by a decision of the Council of Ministers on December 8, 2082. A proposal regarding the minimum purchase price of sugarcane for the upcoming fiscal year 2083/84 will be submitted to the Council of Ministers by the end of November 2083.

The work related to the MSP of major food grains, mentioned in point 90 'Ka' of the government's 100 points of administrative reform, has been completed.