UPSC Prelims 2018 Q93: Indian Economy – Agriculture & Rural Development
- (a) 1, 2, 3 and 7 only
- (b) 2, 4, 5 and 6 only
- (c) 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6 only
- (d) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7
Answer: (b) 2, 4, 5 and 6 only
Explanation
MSP Coverage - CCEA Announcements
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), based on Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) recommendations, announces MSP for 23 crops: 7 cereals + 5 pulses + 7 oilseeds + 4 commercial crops.
| Crop | MSP announced? |
|---|---|
| 1. Areca nut | NO - Areca is a plantation/horticulture crop, not under CACP-MSP. |
| 2. Barley | YES - One of 7 MSP-covered cereals (paddy, wheat, ragi, jowar, bajra, maize, barley). |
| 3. Coffee | NO - Plantation crop; not under CACP-MSP list. |
| 4. Finger millet (Ragi) | YES - One of the 7 MSP-covered cereals. |
| 5. Groundnut | YES - One of the 7 MSP-covered oilseeds (groundnut, sunflower, soybean, sesame, nigerseed, rapeseed-mustard, safflower). |
| 6. Sesamum | YES - One of the 7 MSP-covered oilseeds. |
| 7. Turmeric | NO - Spice; not under CACP-MSP list. |
Answer: (b) 2, 4, 5 and 6 only.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Areca nut, coffee and turmeric are NOT under CACP's MSP list.
- (b) CORRECT. Barley (cereal), Finger millet/Ragi (cereal), Groundnut (oilseed) and Sesamum (oilseed) are among the 23 MSP crops.
- (c) Incorrect. Areca nut is not under MSP.
- (d) Incorrect. Areca nut, coffee and turmeric are not under MSP.
Key point
23 MSP crops: 7 cereals (paddy, wheat, ragi, jowar, bajra, maize, barley), 5 pulses (gram, tur/arhar, moong, urad, lentil), 7 oilseeds (groundnut, mustard, soybean, sesame, sunflower, safflower, nigerseed), 4 commercial (cotton, sugarcane, copra, raw jute). NOT: horticulture, spices, plantations.
Remember
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) announces Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for 23 crops recommended by CACP: 7 cereals (including barley and finger millet), 5 pulses, 7 oilseeds (including groundnut and sesame), and 4 commercial crops. Plantation and horticulture crops like areca nut, coffee and turmeric are NOT under MSP.
Common mistakes
- Assuming plantation/horticulture crops (coffee, tea, areca, turmeric) are under MSP - they are governed by market/plantation boards, not CACP.
- Confusing MSP crops with Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) - sugarcane has FRP under Sugarcane Control Order, though CCEA also announces MSP for sugarcane cess purposes.
- Missing minor cereals - barley, ragi are MSP-covered along with the major grains.
Exam tip
CACP-MSP scope: Cereals + Pulses + Oilseeds + Cotton/Sugarcane/Copra/Jute. NOT: horticulture, plantations, spices, vegetables, fruits, milk (separate schemes).
Sources
- CACP - Price Policy Reports (Ministry of Agriculture)
- PIB - CCEA Announcements on MSP for Kharif and Rabi Crops