The central government has significantly increased its procurement of Tur (Arhar) dal at the Minimum Support Price (MSP), reaching 1.31 lakh metric tonnes as of March 11, 2025. This procurement, carried out in key producing states like Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Telangana, has benefited 89,219 farmers, according to a statement from the Agriculture Ministry on Thursday.
Procurement Under PM-AASHA Scheme
The procurement is being conducted under the Price Support Scheme (PSS), a part of the Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA). Under this scheme, Central Nodal Agencies purchase pulses, oilseeds, and copra directly from pre-registered farmers through state-level agencies at the MSP, ensuring fair prices for their produce.
The Government of India has approved the continuation of the PM-AASHA Scheme until 2025-26 as part of the 15th Finance Commission Cycle. The scheme not only guarantees remunerative prices to farmers but also helps stabilize market prices and ensure the availability of essential food items for consumers at affordable rates.
Commitment to 100% Procurement of Pulses
To reduce dependency on imports and encourage domestic pulse production, the government has approved the procurement of 100% of Tur, Urad, and Masur dal production under the PSS for 2024-25. Additionally, in the Union Budget 2025-26, the government announced that it would continue this 100% procurement for another four years, up to 2028-29.
As part of this initiative, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has approved the procurement of:
- Tur (Arhar): 13.22 lakh metric tonnes
- Masur: 9.40 lakh metric tonnes
- Urad: 1.35 lakh metric tonnes
Tur procurement will be carried out in Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh for the Kharif 2024-25 season.
Digital Platforms for Procurement
To ensure a transparent and efficient procurement process, farmers are required to pre-register on the eSamridhi portal of NAFED and the aSamyukti portal of NCCF. The Centre remains committed to procuring 100% of Tur from farmers through NAFED and NCCF, helping them get fair prices and ensuring stability in the pulse market.
