Procurement of Pulses from Farmers at MSP Under PM-AASHA Scheme Progressing
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Synopsis
The procurement of pulses under the PM-AASHA Scheme is advancing, ensuring farmers receive fair prices. The initiative supports various states and aims for self-sufficiency in pulse production while stabilizing market prices.
Key Takeaways
- Procurement of pulses is in full swing across several states.
- The PM-AASHA Scheme is key to assisting farmers.
- 100% procurement commitment for tur (arhar) by the Centre.
- Government aims for self-sufficiency in pulses.
- Enhanced price stability for essential commodities.
New Delhi, Feb 17 (NationPress) The procurement of pulses at the Minimum Support Price (MSP) by the Central Government is progressing rapidly with the continuation of the integrated Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA) Scheme approved for the 15th Finance Commission cycle until 2025-26. This initiative aims to secure better prices for farmers' produce, as announced by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare on Monday.
Procurement activities have already begun in states such as Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Telangana, where a total of 0.15 lakh metric tonnes of tur (arhar) has been procured by February 15, benefiting 12,006 farmers. The procurement of tur (arhar) in additional states is set to commence shortly. The Centre is dedicated to acquiring 100 percent of the tur produced by farmers, facilitated by central nodal agencies including NAFED and NCCF, as per an official statement.
To encourage farmers who are enhancing domestic pulse production and reducing import reliance, the government has permitted the procurement of tur, urad, and masur under the Price Support Scheme (PSS) equivalent to 100 percent of state production for the procurement year 2024-25.
In the 2025 Budget, the government announced that procurement of tur (arhar), urad, and masur up to 100 percent of state production will continue for an additional four years through central nodal agencies, aiming for self-sufficiency in pulses within the nation.
Shivraj Singh Chouhan, the Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, has sanctioned the procurement of tur (arhar) across states including Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh under the Price Support Scheme for the Kharif 2024-25 Season, totaling 13.22 LMT.
The integrated PM-AASHA Scheme is designed to enhance the efficacy of procurement operations, ensuring farmers receive remunerative prices for their products while also managing price volatility for essential commodities, guaranteeing affordable availability for consumers through buffer stocks during market upturns.
Under the Price Support Scheme of the integrated PM-AASHA Scheme, procurement of the designated pulses, oilseeds, and copra adhering to the Fair Average Quality standard is conducted by central nodal agencies directly from pre-registered farmers via state-level agencies.
