Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan reaffirmed the Modi government’s commitment to farmers’ welfare, stressing that no agricultural produce will be purchased below the Minimum Support Price (MSP). In a press briefing on Thursday, Chouhan highlighted the government’s ongoing efforts to ensure fair pricing for farmers’ crops and provide them with the necessary support to enhance their livelihoods.
Chouhan urged state governments to ensure that no agricultural produce is purchased below MSP. He said, “Our aim is to benefit the farmers, and we will leave no stone unturned to fulfill this noble objective.”
Chouhan provided an update on the ongoing procurement operations, noting that the procurement of crops at MSP is currently underway through the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED) and the National Cooperative Consumer Federation (NCCF). States such as Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Telangana are actively participating in these efforts. As of March 25, 2025, approximately 2.46 lakh metric tonnes of Tur (Arhar) had been procured, benefiting over 1.7 lakh farmers across these states.
The Union Minister also reaffirmed the government’s pledge to procure 100% of the Tur (Arhar) production through central nodal agencies, underscoring the commitment to ensuring that no farmer is left behind. In line with the government’s vision for self-sufficiency in pulses, Chouhan revealed that the procurement of pulses, including tur, urad, and lentils, would continue under the Price Support Scheme (PSS), targeting 100% of state production for the 2024-25 procurement year. This initiative aims to reduce India’s dependence on imported pulses while boosting domestic production.
Additionally, Chouhan announced that the government had extended the procurement of pulses until 2028-29. This extension guarantees the procurement of 100% of state production of Tur, Urad, and Masoor, which will significantly contribute to India’s goal of achieving self-sufficiency in pulses.
The Minister also shared important developments regarding the Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-Asha) scheme, which has been extended until 2025-26. This extension ensures the continuation of MSP-based procurement of pulses and oilseeds. For the Rabi Marketing Season (RMS) 2025, the government has approved the procurement of 27.99 lakh metric tonnes of gram, 28.28 lakh metric tonnes of mustard, and 9.4 lakh metric tonnes of lentils, primarily in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat. The government also approved the procurement of copra (milling and ball) in Tamil Nadu.