Key Highlights
- Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced that tur dal (pigeon pea) procurement has gained momentum in major producing states.
- Objective: Increase domestic production, support farmers, and reduce import dependence.
- Procurement Plan:
- 100% of State production of tur (arhar), urad (black gram), and masoor (red lentil) to be procured under the Price Support Scheme (PSS) for 2024-25.
- The commitment extends till 2028-29 to ensure self-sufficiency in pulses.
States Covered Under the Procurement Plan
- Tur procurement approved for: Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh.
- Karnataka has extended procurement by 30 days (till May 1, 2024).
Current Procurement Status
- Minimum Support Price (MSP) Procurement Ongoing in: Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Telangana.
- Procurement Agencies: National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED) & National Cooperative Consumers’ Federation (NCCF).
- As of March 25, 2024:
- 2.46 lakh metric tonnes of tur (arhar) procured.
- 1,71,569 farmers benefitted.
- Prices of tur in Uttar Pradesh are above MSP, indicating strong market demand.
Government’s Long-Term Strategy
- PM-Asha Yojana extended till 2025-26 to ensure continued MSP-based procurement of pulses and oilseeds.
- Focus on stabilizing pulse prices, enhancing farmer income, and reducing reliance on imports.
The government’s expanded pulse procurement policy is a significant step toward ensuring food security, increasing farmer incomes, and boosting self-reliance in pulses production. The commitment to procure 100% production till 2028-29 indicates a long-term vision for agricultural stability and reduced import dependency.
