The Union Government, led by Shivraj Singh Chouhan, has approved the procurement of Moong and Urad in Madhya Pradesh and Urad in Uttar Pradesh under the Price Support Scheme (PSS). The decision aims to ensure that farmers receive remunerative prices and to strengthen the procurement mechanism through transparency and direct farmer engagement.
The approval of procurement under the Price Support Scheme (PSS) reflects the Centre’s commitment to stabilising pulse prices and protecting farmers from market volatility. Pulses like Moong and Urad are crucial for both nutritional security and crop diversification, but often face price fluctuations due to supply-demand mismatches. By intervening through procurement, the government ensures that farmers receive at least the Minimum Support Price (MSP).A key highlight of the decision is the emphasis on direct procurement from farmers, which aims to reduce the role of middlemen. This is significant because intermediaries often reduce the effective price received by farmers. By promoting direct procurement, the policy seeks to enhance farmer income realisation and efficiency in agricultural markets.
The Union Minister also stressed the need for transparency in procurement operations, indicating concerns regarding irregularities in storage and handling. Ensuring proper storage is critical in pulse procurement because poor storage infrastructure can lead to post-harvest losses and financial inefficiencies. Thus, the directive to prevent irregularities reflects an attempt to strengthen logistical and institutional accountability.
Another important dimension is the instruction to increase the number of procurement centres if required. This step is crucial for improving accessibility for farmers, especially in rural and remote areas. More procurement centres reduce transportation costs and ensure wider participation of farmers in MSP operations.The use of latest technologies for farmer registration is also emphasised, indicating a move toward digitisation of procurement processes. This can help in improving traceability, reducing fraud, and ensuring timely payments, thereby strengthening trust in the system.
The decision also highlights the financial commitment of the central government, as procurement under PSS involves substantial expenditure. Despite this burden, the government reiterated its commitment to farmer welfare under the leadership of Narendra Modi, reflecting the policy priority given to agriculture.
The involvement of agencies like NAFED and NCCF is significant, as these institutions play a key role in procurement, storage, and distribution of agricultural commodities.
Overall, the move strengthens the MSP-backed procurement ecosystem, enhances market intervention capacity, and supports income security for pulse farmers.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Crops Covered | Moong and Urad (MP), Urad (UP) |
| Scheme | Price Support Scheme (PSS) |
| Objective | Ensure MSP-based procurement and farmer benefit |
| Key Focus | Transparency, direct procurement, technology use |
| Agencies Involved | NAFED, NCCF |
| Additional Measures | Increase procurement centres, improve storage |
Updated - 24 June 2025 ; 06:24 PM | News Source Press Information Bureau