The Government of India has approved the continuation of the integrated Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA) Scheme during the 15th Finance Commission Cycle, extending its implementation until 2025-26. The scheme aims to improve the effectiveness of procurement operations, ensuring remunerative prices for farmers and mitigating price volatility of essential commodities. This, in turn, guarantees affordable availability of these goods to consumers.
Under the Price Support Scheme (PSS) of PM-AASHA, the procurement of specific notified crops like Pulses, Oilseeds, and Copra is carried out by Central Nodal Agencies (CNAs) at Minimum Support Prices (MSP). The procurement is conducted directly from pre-registered farmers through State-level agencies, adhering to prescribed Fair Average Quality (FAQ) standards.
To boost domestic pulse production and reduce dependency on imports, the government has approved the procurement of Tur, Urad, and Masur at 100% of the production in each state for the 2024-25 procurement year. In a move aimed at achieving self-sufficiency in pulses, the government has also announced in the 2025 Budget that procurement of these crops will continue at 100% of the state production levels until 2028-29, supported by Central Nodal Agencies.
Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, has given his approval for the procurement of Tur (Arhar), Masur, and Urad for the Kharif 2024-25 season, with a target of 13.22 LMT of Tur (Arhar), 9.40 LMT of Masur, and 1.35 LMT of Urad. Tur (Arhar) will be procured from states including Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh.
Procurement operations have already begun in Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Telangana. As of March 11, 2025, 1.31 LMT of Tur (Arhar) has been successfully procured, benefiting over 89,000 farmers. Procurement will soon begin in additional states.
The government is ensuring that all Tur procurement is conducted from pre-registered farmers via the eSamridhi portal of NAFED and the aSamyukti portal of NCCF, reinforcing its commitment to a 100% procurement model through these central agencies. This initiative aligns with the government’s goal of achieving pulses self-sufficiency and enhancing the financial stability of farmers across the country.
