Rohit Kumar
Port Blair, 27 June 2023
Mr. Vishal Jolly, the National Executive Committee Member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), conveyed his heartfelt appreciation to key government officials, including Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Hon’ble Union Home Minister Amit Shah, for restarting the procurement of COPRA from farmers of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands at the Minimum Support Price (MSP) after more than a decade.
The BJP leader lauded the exceptional initiatives undertaken by the Central Government for the benefit of COPRA-producing farmers in the region. Prior to this development, farmers were compelled to sell COPRA in the market for a meager price of around Rs. 38 per kilogram. However, the government has now fixed the MSP for COPRA at Rs. 108.60 per kilogram, leading to a substantial improvement in the economic conditions of the farmers.
The procurement of COPRA commenced on 26 July 2023 at the Priyadarshini Indoor Stadium in Tamaloo, Car Nicobar, and will be facilitated by the Central Nodal agency NAFED, along with State Level Supporters ANCOFED, EHL, and TDCS, at various Islands of Andaman & Nicobar.
This crucial step has been taken under the Pradhan Mantri Anndata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan, as part of the Price Support Scheme (PSS). The scheme aims to bolster the income of COPRA-producing farmers in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, especially those from Nicobar District, resulting in a significant positive impact on their economic growth and overall development.
Mr. Vishal Jolly emphasised that the realisation of COPRA Procurement 2023 was made possible through the persistent and unwavering efforts of the BJP in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. A delegation had vehemently raised this issue during the Hon’ble Union Home Minister’s visits to the Islands and had also presented it before the Hon’ble Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmer’s Welfare in New Delhi on a previous occasion.
With the successful reinstatement of COPRA procurement at MSP, farmers in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands can look forward to a brighter future, marked by increased financial stability and prosperity. The BJP-led Central Government’s proactive measures have earned appreciation from the farming community, acknowledging the government’s commitment to the welfare of its citizens and agriculture sector.