Synopsis
The Central Government has successfully procured over 1.3 lakh tonnes of Tur (Arhar) from farmers at Minimum Support Price (MSP), benefiting more than 89,219 farmers across major states, including Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra, as part of the PM-AASHA initiative.Key Takeaways
- The procurement of Tur (Arhar) has reached 1.31 lakh metric tonnes.
- 89,219 farmers have benefited from the MSP program.
- The PM-AASHA Scheme continues until 2025-26.
- The government aims for self-sufficiency in pulses by 2028-29.
- Procurement will cover 100% of Tur production in participating states.
New Delhi, March 13 (NationPress) The procurement of Tur (Arhar) from farmers at the Minimum Support Price (MSP) by the Centre has gained significant traction, with a total of 1.31 lakh metric tonnes acquired in key producing states such as Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Telangana by March 11. This initiative has positively impacted 89,219 farmers in these regions, as reported by the Agriculture Ministry on Thursday.
As part of the Price Support Scheme under the integrated Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA), the procurement of designated pulses, oilseeds, and copra that meet the required Fair Average Quality standards is conducted by Central Nodal Agencies directly from pre-registered farmers through state-level agencies.
The Government of India has confirmed the extension of the integrated PM-AASHA Scheme throughout the 15th Finance Commission Cycle until 2025-26.
This initiative is designed to enhance the effectiveness of procurement operations, ensuring that farmers receive fair prices for their products while also managing price fluctuations of essential commodities, making them accessible to consumers at reasonable rates, according to the official statement.
To encourage farmers in boosting the domestic production of pulses and to decrease reliance on imports, the government has sanctioned the procurement of the entire harvest of Tur, Urad, and Masur under the Price Support Scheme for the procurement year 2024-25.
Moreover, the government revealed in the Budget for 2025-26 that procurement of Tur (Arhar), Urad, and Masur will be carried out for 100% of state production for four additional years, extending to 2028-29, through Central Nodal Agencies to achieve self-sufficiency in pulses in the nation.
Consequently, the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, has authorized the procurement of Tur (Arhar), Masur, and Urad at levels of 13.22 LMT, 9.40 LMT, and 1.35 LMT respectively.
The procurement of Tur (Arhar) is also executed from pre-registered farmers via the eSamridhi portal of NAFED and the aSamyukti portal of NCCF.
The Centre remains dedicated to procuring 100% of Tur from farmers through the central nodal agencies, NAFED and NCCF.
