Government sets minimum support price for wheat

The government has fixed the minimum support price of wheat for the current fiscal year 2083/84 at Rs 4,107 per quintal.

Communication and Information Technology Minister Dr Bikram Timilsina said the Cabinet meeting held on Friday, Asoj 30, took the decision based on a proposal from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forests and Environment. Last year the price was Rs 3,945 per quintal; this time it has been raised by Rs 162.

Before fixing the price, the Department of Agriculture had sent technical teams to all seven provinces. The department said the price was worked out from production costs, taking into account seeds, fertilizer, wages, inflation and market rates, based on the 2082 directive on determining support and purchase prices. The government announces this price every year before crops are planted, to encourage farmers to produce and to assure them of a fair price.

The same meeting also designated Chumnubri, Dharche and Arughat rural municipalities of Gorkha, and wards 1 and 2 of Tripurasundari rural municipality in Dhading, which were severely affected by flooding on the Budhigandaki, as disaster crisis-affected areas for three months. Galkot and Dhorpatan municipalities of Baglung, affected by post-monsoon floods and landslides between Asoj 8 and 11, have also been added to the crisis-affected areas.

The meeting also approved the fourth amendment to the formation order of the Kalimati Fruits and Vegetables Market Development Committee and the second amendment to the regulations on animal feed.