MSP, APMC & Procurement — Set 3
Indian Agriculture · MSP, APMC और खरीद · Questions 21–30 of 160
Which of the three Farm Laws of 2020 allowed farmers to sell produce outside APMC mandis?
Correct Answer: C. Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act
The Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020 allowed farmers to sell their produce outside the APMC mandi system. It enabled trade in any area including farm gates, cold storages, warehouses, and online platforms. Farmers feared this would eventually dismantle the MSP system. The Act was one of the three repealed in November 2021.
PM-AASHA scheme was launched in which year to provide price support to oilseed, pulse, and copra farmers?
Correct Answer: C. 2018
PM-AASHA (Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay SanraksHan Abhiyan) was launched in September 2018. It is an umbrella scheme to ensure farmers receive remunerative prices for their oilseeds, pulses, and copra. It has three components: Price Support Scheme (PSS), Price Deficiency Payment Scheme (PDPS), and Pilot of Private Procurement and Stockist Scheme (PPSS). NAFED and other agencies implement PSS while state governments implement PDPS.
Under PM-AASHA's Price Deficiency Payment Scheme (PDPS), how is support given to farmers?
Correct Answer: B. Direct cash payment equal to difference between MSP and market price
Under PDPS, the government directly credits the difference between MSP and the actual market price to the farmer's bank account. Physical procurement does not take place under PDPS. This reduces storage and logistics costs for the government. The scheme was piloted for oilseeds in states like Madhya Pradesh.
NAFED stands for:
Correct Answer: C. National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India
NAFED stands for National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India. It was established in 1958 and is the apex organization of marketing cooperatives for agricultural produce. NAFED implements Price Support Scheme operations for procurement of pulses, oilseeds, and cotton. It also operates buffer stocking operations for onion and other commodities.
The Price Stabilization Fund (PSF) is used for which purpose?
Correct Answer: B. Managing buffer stocks of perishables to control price volatility
The Price Stabilization Fund (PSF) is used to maintain buffer stocks of key perishable commodities like onion, potato, and pulses to control extreme price volatility. It funds procurement and storage of these commodities when prices fall below a threshold and their release when prices spike. PSF is managed by the Department of Consumer Affairs. It helps in protecting both farmers from distress selling and consumers from high inflation.
Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) was announced in which year?
Correct Answer: C. 2020
Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) was announced in July 2020 as part of the Atmanirbhar Bharat package. It provides Rs 1 lakh crore in financing for post-harvest management and agriculture infrastructure. Eligible entities include FPOs, PACS, cooperative societies, SHGs, and entrepreneurs. Loans under AIF carry 3% interest subvention and credit guarantee support.
What is the total corpus of the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF)?
Correct Answer: D. Rs 1 lakh crore
The Agriculture Infrastructure Fund has a total corpus of Rs 1 lakh crore (Rs 1 trillion). It was launched with a focus on creating post-harvest infrastructure like cold storages, primary processing centres, and logistics facilities. The fund operates from 2020 to 2032. It provides medium-long term debt financing with interest subvention.
Kisan Rail was launched to solve which agricultural problem?
Correct Answer: C. Post-harvest losses due to poor cold chain logistics
Kisan Rail was launched in August 2020 as the world's first refrigerated goods train to reduce post-harvest losses of perishable agricultural produce. It provides cold chain logistics by connecting farming regions with consumption centres. The first Kisan Rail ran between Devlali (Maharashtra) and Danapur (Bihar). It carries fruits, vegetables, fish, and meat and helps farmers reach markets faster.
Which agency procures cotton on behalf of the government under MSP operations?
Correct Answer: C. Cotton Corporation of India
The Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) is the nodal agency for procurement of cotton at MSP. CCI intervenes in the market when cotton prices fall below MSP to protect farmers. It was established in 1970 and functions under the Ministry of Textiles. NAFED is the nodal agency for pulses and oilseeds under PSS operations.
Which agency procures jute at MSP?
Correct Answer: D. Jute Corporation of India
The Jute Corporation of India (JCI) is the designated nodal agency for procurement of raw jute at MSP. JCI was set up in 1971 and operates under the Ministry of Textiles. It intervenes when jute prices fall below MSP in major jute growing states. Jute is cultivated mainly in West Bengal, Assam, and Bihar.