Topic: Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices;
6. Examine the various issues that which prevent Minimum support price (MSP) from becoming a mechanism of income support for the farmers. Do you think a legal guarantee for MSP can serve as a panacea for the above issues? (150 words)
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: Down to Earth , Insights on India
Why the question:
A 29-member committee will look into providing legal guarantee for minimum support price (MSP) for agricultural produce, the Narendra Modi government announced July 18
Key Demand of the question:
To write about tory the various issues in the MSP regime and how a statutory backing can help solve the issues.
Directive word:
Examine – When asked to ‘Examine’, we must investigate the topic (content words) in detail, inspect it, investigate it and establish the key facts and issues related to the topic in question. While doing so we should explain why these facts and issues are important and their implications.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Start by writing about MSP, its aims and objectives.
Body:
Next, mention the limitations associated with MSP. Non-realisation of Price, Lack of procurement, only beneficial for selected crops, Lack of quality control and payment immediacy etc.
Next, write about legal guarantee for MSP and how it can help overcome the above issues.
Next, write about the systemic measures that are needed for farmers to get remunerative prices. Increasing procurement efficacy, increasing awareness level of farmer and considering price deficiency payments etc.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.
