PM-AASHA Scheme Empowers Farmers, 6.41 LMT Pulses Procured in Rabi 2023-24

The Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare has implemented several initiatives to enhance farmers' income, with the Minimum Support Price (MSP) policy being a significant measure. MSP ensures remunerative prices for farmers' produce, encouraging higher investments in agriculture and improving production and productivity. MSP is announced for 24 crops, including major cereals, shreeanna (millets), pulses, oilseeds, copra, cotton, and jute, during the Kharif and Rabi seasons. The government fixes MSP for these crops at 1.5 times the cost of production.

The Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay SanraksHan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA) was launched in 2018 to stabilize prices for pulses, oilseeds, and copra, safeguard farmers’ incomes, reduce post-harvest losses, and promote crop diversification towards pulses and oilseeds.

Key Components of PM-AASHA:

1. Price Support Scheme (PSS): Under this scheme, on the request of State Governments/UTs, notified pulses, oilseeds, and copra are procured, exempting mandi tax. Starting 2024-25, procurement is allowed up to 25% of the state’s production, with an additional allowance of up to 25% of national production upon approval.
2. Price Deficiency Payment Scheme (PDPS): This scheme ensures remunerative prices for oilseed farmers by compensating them for the difference between MSP and the prevailing market price. Payments are directly transferred to registered farmers' accounts.
3. Market Intervention Scheme (MIS): MIS targets perishable crops like tomatoes, onions, and potatoes (TOP crops). It is implemented when market prices drop by at least 10% compared to the average prices of a normal season. The scheme addresses price volatility and bridges the price disparity between producing and consuming states.

MSP Benefits in Rabi and Kharif Seasons:

Rabi 2023-24, 6.41 LMT of pulses (2.49 LMT Masoor, 43,000 MT Chana, and 3.48 LMT Moong) were procured, benefitting 2.75 lakh farmers with MSP payments totaling ₹4,820 crores. Additionally, 12.19 LMT of oilseeds were procured, benefitting 5.29 lakh farmers with MSP payments worth ₹6,900 crores.
During Kharif 2024-25, soybean prices dropped below MSP, causing hardship to farmers. The government intervened under the PSS scheme, procuring 5.62 LMT of soybean, benefitting 2,42,461 farmers with MSP payments of ₹2,700 crores.

Positive Impact of PM-AASHA: Since its launch in 2018-19, PM-AASHA has procured 195.39 LMT of pulses, oilseeds, and copra, with an MSP value of ₹1,07,433.73 crores, benefitting 99.30 lakh farmers. The scheme has become a lifeline for small and marginal farmers, ensuring stable incomes and reducing their vulnerability to market fluctuations.