First in the country, Kerala sets floor prices of 16 varieties of vegetables

New Delhi: Kerala is the first state in the country to set floor prices of 16 varieties of vegetables. The scheme would come into effect from November 1.

Floor price refers to the price imposed by the government on a specific commodity. It is the minimum price that can be charged for the commodity.

Chief Minister of Kerala Pinarayi Vijayan informed the same through video-conferencing, he said, "This is the first time the floor price is being fixed for vegetables produced in the state and this is the first for a state in the country also. This is going to provide relief as well as support for the farmers. Farmers across the country are not satisfied but for the last four and half years, we have supported the farmers and the government has taken up several initiatives primarily targeted at the development of agriculture in the state."

The 16 varieties announced for the first phase are lady's finger (Rs 20), cabbage (Rs 11), tapioca (Rs 12), banana (Rs 30), ashgourd (Rs 9), carrot (Rs 21), potato (Rs 20), beans (Rs 28), cucumber (Rs 8), bitter gourd (Rs 30), snake gourd (Rs 16), tomato (Rs 8), Wayanadan banana (Rs 24), beans nadan (vallipayar) (Rs 34), beetroot (Rs 21), garlic (Rs 139), and pineapple (Rs 15).

Under this new system, the government will directly take the commodity from the farmer at the base price if the market price of some commodity falls below the stipulated base price. The amount thereafter will be credited to the farmer's account.

Explaining further about the new mechanism, CM Pinarayi said, "The floor price will be 20% above the production cost of the vegetable. Even if the market price goes below the floor price, the product will be procured at the floor price from the farmers. The produce will be graded as per the quality and the floor price will be fixed based on the quality. 16 varieties of vegetables would be covered in the first phase and there is a provision to revise the floor price on a regular basis."

The Local Self Government (LSG) bodies will play an important role in this new system as they would be the one coordinating the procurement and distribution of commodities. The scheme aims to benefit a farmer with a maximum of 15 acres of vegetable cultivation per season.

The farmers can register on the agriculture department's registration portal after insuring the crop to get the benefit of the floor price. The registration process would start from November 1.

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