To compensate farmers for any sudden and unexpected drop in open market prices of commodities, the Central government is contemplating variety of options which could include giving states freedom to purchase farm produce other than grains as and when required and also a national price deficit scheme on the lines of one floated by Madhya Pradesh recently.On the latter (price deficit scheme) though, opinion is divided within the government with a section feeling that such an initiative is fraught with challenges and could lead to operational difficulties on ground if expanded at the national level.