Govt Extends PM-AASHA Scheme to Support Farmers and Ensure Price Stability

New Delhi: The union government has approved the continuation of the integrated Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA) Scheme through the 15th Finance Commission Cycle, extending its implementation up to 2025-26. The move aims to enhance the effectiveness of procurement operations, ensuring remunerative prices for farmers while stabilizing the prices of essential commodities for consumers.

Under the Price Support Scheme (PSS) of the PM-AASHA initiative, the procurement of notified pulses, oilseeds, and copra that meet the prescribed Fair Average Quality (FAQ) standards is undertaken by Central Nodal Agencies (CNAs). These procurements occur at the Minimum Support Price (MSP) directly from pre-registered farmers through state-level agencies, safeguarding farmers’ interests and minimizing market volatility.

To encourage farmers to increase domestic production of pulses and reduce dependency on imports, the Government has permitted procurement of Tur (Arhar), Urad, and Masur under the PSS up to 100% of the respective State’s production for the 2024-25 procurement year. This strategic decision is set to strengthen India’s self-sufficiency in pulse production, a key component of the nation’s agricultural and food security policies.

Further emphasizing its commitment, the Government announced in the 2025 Budget that the procurement of Tur (Arhar), Urad, and Masur up to 100% of the production of each State will continue for the next four years through Central Nodal Agencies.

Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, has approved the procurement of Tur (Arhar) under the PSS for the Kharif 2024-25 season in Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh. The total approved procurement stands at 13.22 LMT.

Procurement has already commenced in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Telangana, with 0.15 LMT of Tur (Arhar) procured as of February 15, 2025, benefiting 12,006 farmers. The process is set to begin in other states soon, reinforcing the Government’s commitment to purchasing 100% of Tur produced by farmers through central nodal agencies such as NAFED and NCCF.