Copper- No OPEC This

the states which yield the highest procurement in relation to output, production was badly affected by a variety of reasons, including the non-availability, in right quantities, of both irrigation water and fertiliser; even in West Bengal, output in the major surplus- yielding district, Midnapur, has declined over the year because of lack of rain. Those whose hearts melt at the plight of big farmers and traders would have a still readier explanation' While the market price of rice has in many instances jumped by 80 per cent or more over the year, the procurement price has been left undisturbed at last year's level: actual procurement there- fore, it would be argued, was preordained to fail; you cannot tarry with the farmers' expectations beyond a point, if you stretch that point, as the government has done by re-fixing last year's procurement price as being this year's price too, the result is bound to be counter-productive.