Encourage millet, pulses production; rethink rice, wheat MSP: NITI panel

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In a development that can have far-reaching consequences, a working group on agriculture from the Centre’s think tank NITI Aayog recommended that the Centre should have a relook at the procurement policy for rice and wheat at MSP (minimum support prices). The objective of the plan is to discourage farmers from growing these staples and switch to nutri-cereals, pulses and edible oil since the demand for these would exceed produce by 2047, The Economic Times has reported. The expert group has also recommended that millet production and consumption be encouraged.

“The open-ended procurement of rice and wheat at minimum support prices acts as a disincentive for diversification towards high-value and riskier crops. It is, therefore, important to re-think about the policy of open-ended procurement, and restrict the procurement of rice and wheat to the requirements of the country’s food security and welfare schemes,” read the report submitted on February 29.

The working group has also said that if the farmers have to sacrifice income in the process, the government could think of compensating them via price deficiency schemes for the additional market surplus.

The working group had 23 members drawn from different sectors such as agriculture inputs, crop husbandry, demand and supply. It started functioning in 2022 under the leadership of P S Birthal, who is the director of ICAR-NIAP. The mandate given to the body was clear – they were to analyse the trends in demand and supply of major food commodities and access changing preferences of the people for food and related items by 2047.

The expert group also suggested that aggressive investments in infrastructure are required for perishable commodities to avoid post-harvest losses. This is one of the traditional banes of the agriculture infrastructure. The group suggested that private investment be attracted in this crucial sector that can help tackle high price volatility.

“Promote millet consumption and production, reduce consumption of edible oils which is more than its recommended intake and may adversely affect human health and enhance pulses production,” the report recommended.

Though it pushed for increased millet consumption, the group appeared certain that pulses will continue to feature prominently in the diet of Indians. Incidentally, the country is deficient in production of pulses. The group said that the country needs a “technological breakthrough in pulses” and that the government should explore possibilities to cultivate pulses in areas that are not conducive for rice.

Rising per capita income, lifestyle shifts and changing consumer preferences would influence consumption and wean it away from staple cereals towards high-value food commodities.