The ruling LDF government in Kerala is set to announce a special scheme to procure produce directly from cash-strapped farmers in northern India at minimum support price (MSP) to ease their pain over low prices. AdvertisingThe decision, seen loaded with political symbolism ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, was publicly spelt out by Finance Minister TM Thomas Isaac on Twitter. Isaac’s announcement comes just a week after the Centre announced in its interim budget a scheme to provide Rs 6,000 annual income support to farmers credited directly in their bank accounts. Usually, the state procures essential pulses from other states and vegetables by calling out a tender, attended by all the major traders and suppliers. Kerala has had to depend entirely on the import of pulses from other states for its consumption needs.

Source: Indian Express February 07, 2019 11:26 UTC