In order to mark the 75th anniversary of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Indian PM Narendra Modi released a commemorative coin of Rs 75 denomination, congratulating the UN food agency for reaching a monumental milestone.

Mr Modi also dedicated 17 bio-fortified varieties of 8 crops on the occasion of World Food Day, reiterating the government’s commitment to procure agri-crops at Minimum Support Price (MSP).

The Prime Minister also added that the Indian government is promoting millets and nutritious crops in order to tackle malnutrition in the nation.

The Indian government announced hikes in the minimum support prices of six rabi crops, including wheat and lentils, as it attempts to allay farmers’ fears over future of the support price in the wake of passage of two controversial farm bills in Parliament amid the uproar.

The MSP (Minimum Support Price) of wheat has been hiked by Rs 50 to Rs 1,975 per quintal.

The increase in MSP rates are as follows:

• Lentil: Rs. 300 per quintal

• Gram, rapeseed & mustard: Rs. 225 per quintal each

It is to be noted that the MSP is the rate at which the government buys crops from farmers.

Indian Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said the Minimum Support Price (MSP) mechanism for farmers will continue and the proposed legislations are aimed at making farming profitable.

The Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020 and The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020 were introduced by the minister in Lok Sabha – the lower house of India’s bicameral Parliament.

The minister said that these legislations will bring about revolutionary transformation and transparency in the agriculture sector, adding there will be accelerated agricultural growth as private investment will be attracted in building supply chains and agricultural infrastructure.