The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has given its approval for the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of copra for 2021 season.

The MSP for Fair Average Quality (FAQ) of milling copra has been increased,by ₹ 375/-, to ₹ 10335/- per quintal for 2021 season from ₹ 9960/- per quintal in 2020. The MSP for ball copra has been increased, by ₹ 300/-, to ₹ 10,600/- per quintal for 2021 season from ₹ 10300/- per quintal in 2020. The declared MSP ensures a return of 51.87 percent for milling copra and 55.76 percent for ball copra over the all-India weighted average cost of production.

The approval is based on recommendations of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP).

The increase in MSP for copra for 2021 season is in line with the principle of fixing the MSP at a level of at least 1.5 times the all India weighted average cost of production which was announced by the Government in the Budget 2018-19.

It assures a minimum of 50 percent as margin of profit as one of the important and progressive steps towards making possible doubling of farmers' incomes by 2022.

The National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Limited (NAFED) and National Cooperative Consumer Federation of India Limited (NCCF) will continue to act as Central Nodal Agencies to undertake price support operations at the MSP in the coconut growing States.

For 2020 season, Government has procured 5053.34 tonnes of ball copra and 35.58 tonnes of milling copra benefiting 4896 copra farmers.

Minimum Support Price for copra raised, reinforcing cost-benchmark policy and continued price support operations to benefit farmers. Approval established increased Minimum Support Price levels for milling (Fair Average Quality) and ball copra for the 2021 season, linked to a policy of setting MSPs at a specified multiple of the all India weighted average cost of production to secure targeted farmer margins. The decision follows recommendations of the price advisory body and continues designation of cooperative central nodal agencies to undertake price support operations and procurement at MSP in coconut growing States.