State governments to ensure that there is no purchase below MSP: Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that the Modi government is a farmer-friendly government.Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Central Government is continuously working with full commitment for the betterment of farmers. In this direction, the work of purchasing the produce from the farmers at the minimum support price is also being done.

Chouhan said that self-sufficiency in pulses is our resolve and, in this context, the purchase of tur is being done in the major tur producing states, which has gained momentum. In order to increase domestic production of pulses, encourage farmers and reduce dependence on imports, the Government has approved procurement of tur, urad and lentil under Price Support Scheme (PSS) at 100% of State production for the procurement year 2024-25.

He informed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi Government has also announced in Budget 2025 that 100% of the state’s production of Tur (Arhar), Urad and Masoor will be procured for the next four years till 2028-29 to achieve self-sufficiency in pulses in the country. The procurement of Tur (Arhar) has been approved in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Telangana and Uttar Pradesh under the Price Support Scheme during the Kharif 2024-25 season. Along with this, in the interest of farmers, Karnataka has also approved extending the procurement period from 90 days by 30 days to May 1.

Shivraj Singh Chouhan informed that procurement is continuing at MSP through NAFED and NCCF in Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Telangana and till 25 March 2025, a total of 2.46 lakh metric tonnes of Tur (Arhar) has been procured in these states, benefiting 1,71,569 farmers of these states. He said that the price of tur in Uttar Pradesh is currently running above MSP.

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan informed that Government of India is committed to procure 100% Tur from farmers through Central Nodal Agencies. Similarly, procurement of gram, mustard and lentil has been approved during RMS 2025.PM-Asha Yojana has been extended till 2025-26. Under this, purchase of pulses and oilseeds from farmers at MSP will continue. The total approved quantity of gram for RMS 2025 is 27.99 lakh metric tonnes and mustard is 28.28 lakh metric tonnes. The major states include Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat. The total approved quantity of lentil is 9.40 lakh metric tonnes Procurement of copra (milling and ball) has also been approved in Tamil Nadu. The government has ensured farmers use NAFED and NCCF portals to simplify registration and process. Shri Chouhan said that on behalf of the Central Government, I appeal to all the state governments to ensure that there is no purchase below MSP. Our aim is to benefit the farmers and we will leave no stone unturned to fulfil this noble objective.