Government hikes MSP for copra by Rs790 a quintal

The centre has raised the minimum support price (MSP) for copra by Rs790 to Rs4,450 per quintal for the milling variety and Rs4,700 per quintal for ball copra (FAQ variety) for the 2009 crop season, Sharad Pawar, minister of agriculture, consumer affairs, food and public distribution, informed the Rajya Sabha in a written reply.

The government has fixed MSP for de-husked coconut at Rs1,200 per quintal for 2009 season, which is higher by Rs212 per quintal over the MSP of the previous season (2008), he stated.

The nodal agency for procuring copra, NAFED, has procured 9,465 tonnes of milling copra valued Rs45.83 crore at the MSP of Rs4,450 per quintal in the states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Lakshadweep and 1,040 tonnes ball copra valued Rs5.31 crore at the MSP of Rs4,700 per quintal in Karnataka under the price support scheme during 2009 season, Pawar stated.

The government has, meanwhile, prohibited export of all edible oils except coconut oil, with effect from 17 March 2008 and has not permitted import of crude and refined palm oil through any port of Kerala with effect from 24 December 2007, the minister added.