The Indian government has recently approved the procurement of moong and urad pulses from Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. This decision aims to ensure that farmers receive fair prices for their crops. Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan held a meeting with agriculture ministers from these states to discuss the procurement process. The primary goal is to eliminate middlemen and ensure that farmers get the benefits directly.
The procurement will happen under the Price Support Scheme (PSS). This scheme is activated when market prices fall below the Minimum Support Price (MSP). By procuring these crops, the government hopes to provide financial security to farmers during challenging market conditions.
Chouhan instructed agencies like NAFED (National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India) and NCCF (National Cooperative Consumers’ Federation of India) to ensure proper registration of farmers. He emphasized the need for using the latest technologies to streamline the registration process. If necessary, the government will increase the number of procurement centres to make it more accessible for farmers.
During the meeting, the minister highlighted that this procurement initiative could place a significant financial burden on the Centre. However, he reassured that the government is committed to supporting farmers and ensuring they receive the intended benefits. This direct procurement will help reduce the influence of middlemen, allowing farmers to receive a fair price for their hard work.
Chouhan also raised concerns about storage irregularities and urged state officials to take concrete actions to address these issues. He assured the agriculture minister from Uttar Pradesh that the central government would do everything possible to support farmers in their needs.
The government has extended the procurement window in Andhra Pradesh by 15 days. This extension is meant to assist more farmers in securing better prices for their produce. In total, the Centre has approved the procurement of over 54,000 metric tonnes of moong and more than 50,000 metric tonnes of groundnut for the 2025-26 summer crop season.
The procurement of pulses like Tur, Urad, and Masur has been set at 100% of state production for the 2024-25 season. This strategy aims to reduce reliance on imports and promote domestic pulse production.
The procurement process is an integral part of the Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA). This initiative includes various schemes designed to provide assured prices to farmers and protect them from market fluctuations. The PSS, Price Deficiency Payment Scheme (PDPS), Market Intervention Scheme (MIS), and the Price Stabilisation Fund (PSF) work together to support farmers’ incomes.
Farmers are advised to stay informed about these developments to take full advantage of the support available to them. The government aims to foster a more sustainable agricultural environment, ensuring that farmers can thrive in the long run. This recent step is a positive move towards achieving that goal. Farmers in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh should prepare for the procurement process and ensure they are registered properly to benefit from these initiatives.