Government approves ₹11,582 MSP for milling copra to enhance farmers’ income, financial impact estimated at ₹855 crore. mint

New Delhi: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on Friday increased the minimum support price (MSP) for milling copra for the 2025 marketing season. Bringing it at Rs 425 per quintal 11,582 per quintal. MSP of ball copra increased 100 per quintal, to 12,100 per quintal.

The total financial implication of this decision is estimated to be 855 crore, Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnav said after the cabinet meeting.

Milling copra is a dried piece of coconut that is used to make coconut oil. Ball copra is the edible dried kernel of the coconut.

Since 2014, MSP for milling copra has increased Rs 5,250 per quintal 11,582 per quintal, registering an increase of 121%. Similarly, MSP of ball copra has also increased. Rs 5,500 per quintal 12,100 per quintal, which shows an increase of 120%.

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The minister said, this significant increase is aimed at ensuring better remunerative returns for coconut growers and encouraging them to expand copra production to meet the growing demand for coconut products in the domestic and international markets.

The decision to increase the MSP for copra will benefit farmers in Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, where copra production is concentrated. Karnataka has the highest share in copra production at 32.7%, followed by Tamil Nadu at 25.7%, Kerala at 25.4% and Andhra Pradesh at 7.7%.

National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Limited (NAFED) and National Cooperative Consumers Federation (NCCF) will continue to function as the central nodal agencies for procurement of copra and desiccated coconut under the Price Support Scheme (PSS). The minister said.

Since assuming power in June 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government has implemented several transformative initiatives aimed at supporting farmers and strengthening the agriculture sector, the minister said. These measures focus on areas like MSP, digital agriculture, bio-innovation and sustainable farming, he said. with more than the total outlay Rs 2.18 trillion, these initiatives highlight the government’s commitment to empower farmers and modernize Indian agriculture.

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The government has introduced MSP for Kharif crops for 2024-25 marketing season and announced the price policy for 2025-26 Rabi marketing season. It has also launched Clean Plant Program with allocation for development of horticulture Rs 1,766 crore to enhance agricultural facilities and expand the Agricultural Infrastructure Fund.

To promote sustainable practices, PM G-WAN scheme has been launched to provide financial assistance to advanced biofuel projects, while the BioE3 initiative focuses on biomanufacturing for economic and environmental benefits. Digital Agriculture Mission has been allocated Rs 2,817 crore to digitalize agricultural operations, and Rs 3,979 crore has been set aside for crop science programs to ensure food and nutrition security. Efforts to strengthen agricultural education and management have been supported Whereas, Rs 2,291 crore Rs 1,702 crore has been allocated to ensure sustainable livestock health and production.

The government has also given priority to horticulture development Rs 1,125 crore and strengthening of Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) 1,202 crores. Natural resource management has achieved 1,115 crore, and subsidy of Rs 24,475 crore has been provided for NPK fertilizers under the Nutrient-Based Subsidy (NBS) scheme. Under PM Annadata Income Protection Campaign (PM-ASHA), Rs 35,000 crore has been allocated to secure the income of farmers. Additionally, the PM Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (PM-RKVY) and Krishnanati Yojana combined have received slightly higher allocations. 1 trillion.

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National Mission on Edible Oil and Oilseeds has been started Rs 10,103 crore to promote self-reliance in edible oil production. Fortified rice supply program has been allocated under all the schemes. 17,082 crore to enhance nutritional security. Strengthening of Food Corporation of India has been supported Rs 10,700 crore, and the National Mission on Natural Farming has received Rs 2,481 crore to encourage sustainable farming practices.