Context:
The Union government on Tuesday announced a minimum support price (MSP) for mangoes, bringing relief to thousands of farmers in Karnataka, who had been affected by crop loss and drastic fall in prices this year.
Key Highlights
- Minimum Support Price (MSP):
- ₹1,616 per quintal for mangoes.
- Procurement Target:
- 2.5 lakh metric tonnes to be procured by the Karnataka government with Centre’s approval under the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS).
- Reason for Intervention:
- Severe crop losses and drastic price crash faced by mango farmers.
- Escalating protests, including highway blockade and fruit dumping on the Bengaluru-Chennai Highway near Kondarajanahalli.
- Successful bandh organized in Srinivasapura, the main mango cultivation hub in Karnataka.
What is the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS)?
- MIS is a price support mechanism implemented for horticultural and perishable commodities not covered under the MSP regime.
- Aims to protect farmers from distress sales by offering government-backed procurement during price crashes.
- It is implemented on the request of state governments, with the Centre sharing losses.
