Moong procurement: Centre clears record 4.54 lakh MT for MP amid Bhopal farmer protests
Synopsis
The Centre has cleared a record 4.54 lakh MT of moong procurement for Madhya Pradesh — nearly 87% of the national total — even as hundreds of farmers marched into Bhopal demanding action. With only 60,000 MT actually procured so far, the announcement exposes a critical gap between central approval and state-level delivery.
Key Takeaways
The Centre approved 4,54,580 MT of moong procurement for Madhya Pradesh under the Price Support Scheme — the highest for any state this season.
This accounts for nearly 87 per cent of the total 5,23,243 MT approved nationally.
Only 60,000 MT had been physically procured in the state as of 29 July , revealing a wide implementation gap.
Under the PM-AASHA scheme , the Centre covers up to 25 per cent of state production; procurement beyond that is the state's responsibility.
Central approvals for MP have risen steadily from 2.75 lakh MT in 2021–22 to 4.54 lakh MT in the current season.
Hundreds of farmers who marched from Narmadapuram staged a protest in Bhopal on 29 July over unresolved procurement grievances.
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Wednesday, 29 July announced that the Centre has approved a record 4.54 lakh metric tonnes (MT) of moong procurement for Madhya Pradesh under the Price Support Scheme (PSS) — the highest allocation granted to any state this season. The announcement came as hundreds of farmers, who had marched from Narmadapuram, reached Bhopal and staged a protest over unresolved procurement grievances.
What the Centre Approved
Chouhan conveyed the approval through a letter addressed to Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, responding to a request dated 28 July from Madhya Pradesh Agriculture Minister Aidal Singh Kansana. The approved quantity stands at 4,54,580 MT, which accounts for nearly 87 per cent of the total 5,23,243 MT sanctioned across the entire country this season.
'Madhya Pradesh has received the highest approval for moong procurement in the country this season. The Government of India has been continuously extending maximum possible support to the state under the Price Support Scheme,' Chouhan stated.
The Limits of Central Support
Chouhan was careful to draw a line between central approval and state responsibility. Under the PM-AASHA scheme, the Centre sanctions procurement of up to 25 per cent of a state's production. Any procurement beyond that threshold must be undertaken by the state government itself. As of 29 July, only around 60,000 MT of moong had been procured in Madhya Pradesh — a figure that underscores the gap between approved quantities and actual ground-level action. Chouhan urged the state government to expedite the process in the interest of farmers.
A Steady Upward Trend in Allocations
The minister pointed to a consistent year-on-year increase in central approvals for the state. Madhya Pradesh received 2.75 lakh MT in both 2021–22 and 2022–23, which rose to 3.30 lakh MT in 2023–24 and further to 4.19 lakh MT in 2024–25, before reaching the current record of 4.54 lakh MT. In previous years, the state government had also undertaken additional procurement beyond the centrally approved limits.
Farmers' Protest in Bhopal
The timing of the announcement is significant. Hundreds of farmers who marched from Narmadapuram converged on Bhopal on Wednesday, accusing the government of failing to act on procurement-related demands. The protest highlights a disconnect between policy approvals at the central level and implementation on the ground, a recurring tension in India's agricultural support architecture. This is not the first time Madhya Pradesh farmers have raised alarms over moong procurement delays during the kharif season.
What Happens Next
With the Centre having fulfilled its approval mandate, the pressure now shifts squarely to the Madhya Pradesh state government to accelerate physical procurement before the season window closes. Whether the state can bridge the gap between the 60,000 MT procured so far and the 4.54 lakh MT ceiling will determine whether this record approval translates into tangible relief for farmers on the ground.
Point of View
But it obscures the real problem: only 60,000 MT has been procured on the ground. Central approval under PSS and PM-AASHA is a ceiling, not a guarantee — the state government holds the operational lever. The fact that farmers felt compelled to march from Narmadapuram to Bhopal suggests that administrative approvals have not translated into assured buying at mandis. Until the gap between sanctioned quantity and actual procurement closes, the record allocation risks becoming a number that comforts policymakers more than it helps farmers.
NationPress
30 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Centre's moong procurement approval for Madhya Pradesh in 2025?
The Centre has approved 4,54,580 MT of moong procurement for Madhya Pradesh under the Price Support Scheme — the highest allocation granted to any state this season, representing nearly 87 per cent of the total national approval of 5,23,243 MT.
Why are farmers protesting in Bhopal?
Hundreds of farmers, who marched from Narmadapuram, reached Bhopal on 29 July to protest against the government's failure to address procurement-related issues. Despite central approvals, only around 60,000 MT of moong had been physically procured in the state as of that date.
What is the PM-AASHA scheme and how does it work for moong procurement?
PM-AASHA is a central government scheme under which the Centre approves procurement of up to 25 per cent of a state's agricultural production at the Minimum Support Price. Any procurement beyond this 25 per cent limit must be carried out and funded by the state government itself.
How has the Centre's moong allocation for Madhya Pradesh changed over the years?
The central approval for MP has risen steadily — from 2.75 lakh MT in 2021–22 and 2022–23, to 3.30 lakh MT in 2023–24, then 4.19 lakh MT in 2024–25, and now a record 4.54 lakh MT in the current season. In earlier years, the state also procured additional quantities beyond the central limit.
Who is responsible for speeding up moong procurement in Madhya Pradesh?
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has urged the Madhya Pradesh state government to expedite procurement, clarifying that the Centre does not set procurement targets for states. The responsibility for physical procurement — especially beyond the 25 per cent PSS ceiling — rests with the state.
