Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan stated that the Modi government is fully committed to farmers' welfare. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the central government is dedicated to working for the betterment of farmers. In this direction, continuous procurement of farmers' produce at the Minimum Support Price (MSP) is being ensured.
He emphasized that achieving self-sufficiency in pulses is the government’s goal, and to fulfill this, procurement of tur (arhar) is being carried out at an accelerated pace in major producing states. To boost domestic pulse production, encourage farmers, and reduce import dependency, the government has approved 100% procurement of tur, urad, and masoor under the Price Support Scheme (PSS) for the 2024-25 procurement year.
Shri Chouhan informed that in the Budget 2025, the Modi government announced that 100% of the tur (arhar), urad, and masoor produced in states will be procured over the next four years, up to 2028-29. Under the Price Support Scheme for the Kharif 2024-25 season, procurement of tur has been approved in Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh. Additionally, in the interest of farmers, the Karnataka government has extended the procurement period from 90 days to May 1.
Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan revealed that as of March 25, 2025, a total of 2.46 lakh metric tonnes of tur (arhar) has been procured through NAFED and NCCF in Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Telangana, benefiting 1,71,569 farmers. He also noted that tur prices in Uttar Pradesh are currently above the MSP.
PM-Asha Scheme Extended Till 2025-26: The Union Agriculture Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to procuring 100% tur through central nodal agencies. Similarly, the procurement of chana (gram), mustard, and masoor under the Rabi Marketing Season (RMS) 2025 has been approved. The PM-Asha scheme has been extended until 2025-26, ensuring the continued procurement of pulses and oilseeds at MSP.
The procurement of copra (milling and ball) has also been approved in Tamil Nadu. To facilitate farmers, the government has introduced simplified and transparent registration and procurement processes through NAFED and NCCF portals.
