MSP, APMC & Procurement — Set 13
Indian Agriculture · MSP, APMC और खरीद · Questions 121–130 of 160
CACP submits how many price policy reports annually?
Correct Answer: C. Three — Kharif, Rabi, and commercial crops
CACP submits three separate price policy reports every year: one for Kharif crops, one for Rabi crops, and one for commercial/sugarcane crops. Each report contains MSP recommendations along with analysis of production costs, demand-supply, terms of trade, and inter-crop price parity. These reports are submitted to the Ministry of Agriculture before the respective sowing seasons.
Which of the following was NOT included in the 'three Farm Laws' of 2020?
Correct Answer: D. Agricultural Land Ceiling Liberalization Act
The three Farm Laws of September 2020 were: Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act (contract farming), and Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act. There was no 'Agricultural Land Ceiling Liberalization Act' in the three Farm Laws. Land ceiling remains a state subject and was not part of the 2020 farm law package.
Farmer protests of 2020-21 were concentrated at which border points of Delhi?
Correct Answer: B. Singhu, Tikri, and Ghazipur borders
The farmer protests of 2020-21 were mainly concentrated at Singhu border (Delhi-Haryana), Tikri border (Delhi-Haryana), and Ghazipur border (Delhi-UP). The protests were led primarily by farmers from Punjab and Haryana, supported by farmer unions from UP, Rajasthan, and other states. The protests lasted about 13 months until the Farm Laws were repealed in November 2021. Singhu border became the most prominent protest site.
What is 'AMAN' in paddy cultivation season terminology?
Correct Answer: B. Winter (transplanted) paddy crop season in eastern India
Aman refers to the winter transplanted paddy crop grown primarily in eastern India (West Bengal, Bihar, Odisha, Assam). It is sown during June-July and harvested in November-December. Aman paddy is rainfed and depends heavily on monsoon. Along with Aus (pre-Kharif) and Boro (summer irrigated), Aman forms one of the three paddy seasons in eastern India.
The 'Minimum Export Price' (MEP) for rice was used to:
Correct Answer: B. Restrict exports to protect domestic supply and keep domestic prices in check
The government imposed MEP on non-basmati white rice in August 2023 at $1200 per tonne to restrict excessive exports and protect domestic rice supplies after below-average Kharif paddy sowing. MEP effectively makes exports non-competitive when market prices are at or below MEP. Export restrictions on rice also included a total ban on non-parboiled white rice exports. These measures were taken to control domestic food inflation.
The 'cooperative to cooperative' model of NDDB was later replicated for which commodity?
Correct Answer: B. Oilseeds through NAFED
The cooperative model of NDDB (National Dairy Development Board) for dairy was replicated for oilseeds through NAFED and later through Mother Dairy's oilseeds operations. NDDB itself set up Mother Dairy as a subsidiary which handles milk, fruits, vegetables, and edible oils under the 'Dhara' brand. The Amul-type cooperative model was studied for potential replication in oilseed and pulse procurement.
Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) mandis primarily regulate:
Correct Answer: B. Wholesale trade in agricultural produce and ensure fair price discovery
APMC mandis primarily regulate wholesale trade in agricultural commodities. They ensure that buying and selling happens in a regulated environment with government oversight, licensed traders, official weighing, and published prices. APMCs collect market fees that fund mandi infrastructure. The regulation aims to prevent farmer exploitation by ensuring transparent and competitive price discovery at the wholesale level.
Minimum Support Price is announced for how many crop seasons?
Correct Answer: B. Two seasons (Kharif and Rabi)
MSP is announced for two main crop seasons: Kharif (summer, sown in June-July, harvested October-November) and Rabi (winter, sown October-November, harvested March-April). There is no separate MSP announcement for the Zaid (summer/pre-Kharif) season. Commercial crops like sugarcane (FRP) are announced separately. Each season's MSP announcement covers the specific crops grown in that season.
What percentage of India's farmers are estimated to benefit from MSP-based procurement?
Correct Answer: C. Only 5-6%
Studies estimate that only about 5-6% of farmers in India actually sell their produce at or above MSP through government procurement channels. The rest sell in the open market, often below MSP, due to lack of procurement infrastructure, awareness, and coverage. Effective MSP benefits are concentrated in wheat-rice belts of Punjab, Haryana, and Madhya Pradesh. This limited reach is a fundamental challenge in India's MSP system.
What is the full form of LAMPS in the context of tribal agricultural markets?
Correct Answer: A. Large Area Multi Purpose Societies
LAMPS (Large Area Multi Purpose Societies) are tribal cooperative societies that handle procurement of agricultural produce, including minor forest produce (MFP), in tribal areas. They operate under tribal welfare departments and function as primary-level cooperatives. LAMPS ensure that tribal farmers receive fair prices for their produce in remote areas where APMC mandis may not be accessible. They also provide inputs and credit to tribal communities.