In News:

In a major push toward agricultural self-reliance, the Government of India has significantly scaled up Minimum Support Price (MSP)-based procurement operations. This expansion, driven by the National Cooperative Consumers’ Federation of India Limited (NCCF) and the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Limited (NAFED), marks a strategic shift under the Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA) and the newly launched Atmanirbhar Pulses Mission.

The Atmanirbhar Pulses Mission: A Vision for 2030

Announced in the Union Budget 2025–26 and formally launched in October 2025, this Centrally Sponsored Scheme aims to eliminate India’s dependency on pulse imports by the end of the 2030–31 fiscal year.

• Priority Crops: The mission specifically targets Tur (Arhar), Urad, and Masoor (Lentil)—crops that are vital to Indian nutritional security but currently suffer from production deficits.
• Core Strategy: The mission focuses on improving crop yields, adopting climate-resilient agricultural practices, and ensuring long-term price stability to incentivize farmers.     

State-Level Milestones: Bihar and Chhattisgarh

The government’s strategy is currently manifesting through intensified procurement drives in key states, utilizing both cooperative networks and digital infrastructure.

1. Bihar’s First Structured Procurement

For the first time, Bihar has initiated an organized procurement of Masoor (Lentil). This milestone is supported by the NCCF, which utilizes WDRA-approved warehouses in collaboration with the Central Warehousing Corporation to ensure scientific storage and minimize post-harvest losses.

• Target: 32,000 MT of Masoor.
• Progress (as of April 2026): Over 100 MT has already been procured, with Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) and Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) being rapidly onboarded.

2. Chhattisgarh’s Digital Procurement Ecosystem

Procurement in Chhattisgarh has crossed 12,000 MT, primarily focusing on Chana and Masoor. The state’s success is attributed to:

• E-Samyukti Portal: A digital platform facilitating seamless farmer registration and transparent transactions.
• Infrastructure: A robust network of 85 PACS centers across districts like Durg, Raipur, and Raigarh, with plans to expand into Sarguja and Kondagaon.
• Performance: Thousands of farmers have already benefited, with Chana procurement alone nearing 13,000 MT between NCCF and NAFED operations.

PM-AASHA: The Institutional Backbone

Launched in 2018, PM-AASHA provides the regulatory framework to ensure farmers receive remunerative prices. It operates through three distinct pillars:

1. Price Support Scheme (PSS): Physical procurement of pulses, oilseeds, and copra by central agencies.
2. Price Deficiency Payment Scheme (PDPS): Direct compensation to farmers when market prices fall below the MSP, without physical procurement.
3. Private Procurement &Stockist Scheme (PPSS): Encouraging private sector participation in the procurement process.