The Centre’s procurement of Tur (Arhar) at the Minimum Support Price (MSP) has gained momentum, with a total of 1.31 lakh metric tonnes procured from major producing states, including Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Telangana, as of March 11. This initiative has benefited 89,219 farmers, according to a statement from the Ministry of Agriculture.

The procurement is being conducted under the Price Support Scheme (PSS) of the integrated Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA). Under this scheme, notified pulses, oilseeds, and copra that meet the Fair Average Quality standards are procured by Central Nodal Agencies at the MSP directly from pre-registered farmers through state-level agencies.

The Government of India has approved the continuation of the integrated PM-AASHA Scheme during the 15th Finance Commission cycle, extending it up to 2025-26. The scheme aims to provide fair prices to farmers for their produce and to stabilize essential commodity prices for consumers.

In an effort to boost domestic pulse production and reduce reliance on imports, the government has approved the procurement of the entire production of Tur, Urad, and Masur under the PSS for the 2024-25 procurement year. In the 2025-26 Union Budget, it was announced that the procurement of these pulses would continue for 100 percent of state production up to 2028-29 through Central Nodal Agencies, with the goal of achieving self-sufficiency in pulses.

Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, has approved the procurement of 13.22 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of Tur (Arhar), 9.40 LMT of Masur, and 1.35 LMT of Urad for the 2024-25 procurement year. Tur procurement is currently underway in Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh.

The procurement of Tur is being conducted through the eSamridhi portal of NAFED and the aSamyukti portal of NCCF. The Centre has reiterated its commitment to procure 100 percent of Tur from farmers through these central nodal agencies, ensuring a stable market for their produce.

(With input from IANS)