Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde Discusses Support for Cotton and Soybean Farmers
In Nadurbar, Maharashtra, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announced plans to support cotton and soybean farmers ahead of the assembly polls. After discussions with the Union Agriculture Minister, it was decided to purchase cotton and soybeans with 15% moisture content. The Minimum Support Price (MSP) for soybean is set at Rs 1892 per quintal, cotton at Rs 7121, and dry cotton at Rs 7529.
CM Shinde highlighted the positive impact of government schemes like the Ladki Behan Yojana, which has satisfied women in the region. He expressed confidence in the formation of the Mahayuti government.
Union Agriculture Minister’s Announcements
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced an additional Rs 5,000 per hectare for soybean and cotton cultivators. The import duty on edible oils from Malaysia and Indonesia has been increased to 27.5% to encourage domestic purchases.
The Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojana was also discussed, which compensates farmers for the difference between MSP and market rates. The government will also cover transportation costs for farmers.
Importance of Soybean Cultivation
Soybean is a crucial cash crop in Maharashtra, especially in the Vidarbha and Marathwada regions, providing liquidity to farmers during Diwali. Maharashtra is preparing for assembly polls on November 20, with past elections showing strong performances by BJP and Shiv Sena.
Doubts Revealed
Maharashtra -: Maharashtra is a state in the western part of India. It is known for its big cities like Mumbai and Pune, and it is also famous for its agriculture.
CM -: CM stands for Chief Minister, who is the head of the government in a state in India. Eknath Shinde is the current Chief Minister of Maharashtra.
Cotton and Soybean -: Cotton and soybean are types of crops grown by farmers. Cotton is used to make clothes, and soybean is used for food and oil.
Moisture Content -: Moisture content refers to the amount of water present in the crops. It is important because too much moisture can spoil the crops.
MSP -: MSP stands for Minimum Support Price. It is a price set by the government to ensure farmers get a fair price for their crops.
Union Agriculture Minister -: The Union Agriculture Minister is a person in the central government of India responsible for agriculture-related policies. Shivraj Singh Chouhan is mentioned as discussing support for farmers.
Rs 5,000 per hectare -: This means farmers will get an extra 5,000 rupees for every hectare of land they farm. A hectare is a unit of area used to measure land.
Import Duties -: Import duties are taxes on goods brought into the country. Increasing these duties on edible oils helps local farmers by making imported oils more expensive.
Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojana -: This is a government scheme to help farmers by paying them the difference if the market price of their crops is lower than a certain amount.
Transportation Costs -: These are the expenses related to moving crops from farms to markets or storage places. Covering these costs helps farmers save money.
Diwali -: Diwali is a major festival in India, also known as the Festival of Lights. It is celebrated with lights, sweets, and fireworks.
