Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Union Cabinet approved the expansion of the Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay SanraksHan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA). With an outlay of nearly 35,000 crores, the continuation will ensure fair prices for farmers while managing the price instability.

PM Modi posted on his X handle, “We are constantly taking big steps for the welfare of farmers. In this series, today our government has approved the Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA). This will not only help farmers get a profitable price for their crops but will also benefit consumers.”

Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA)

PM-AASHA Yojna is an integrated scheme consolidating PSS (Price Support System), and PSF (Price Stabilization Funds. The implementation focuses on serving the farmers efficiently. As per the government’s official statement, the continuation of the scheme will now include PSS (Price Support System), and PSF (Price Stabilization Funds, PDPS (Price Deficit Payment Scheme), and (MIS) Market Intervention Scheme.

What the Expansion Includes?

Extension of Price Support System (PSS)

Starting from 2024-25, the purchasing of mentioned pulses, oilseeds, and copra at MSP will be 25% of national production. This will ensure the states to buy the crops at MSP from farmers to avoid turbulent sales.

However, pulses like tur, urad, and masur for the 2024-25 season are not covered under this expansion. As stated earlier, there will be 100% procurement of tur, urad, and masur during the season 2024-25.

The procurement process will be enacted under the Department of Agriculture from farmers at MSP. This will include farmers who are already registered on eSamridhi portal of the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED) and eSamyukti portal of the National Cooperative Consumers’ Federation of India (NCCF).

Click Here to register at eSamridhi

The government stated, “This would also motivate the farmers to cultivate more of these crops in the country and contribute to achieving self-sufficiency in these crops. Also leading in less dependence on imports to meet domestic requirement,” the government said.

Extension of Price Stabilization Funds (PSF)

The extension of PSF will focus more on securing consumers from the instability in prices of Agri-horticultural commodities. This will ensure a strategic buffer stock of pulses and onions for more refined release.

The scheme will also reduce the negative aspects like shortage of pulses and instability in purchasing them.

Department of Consumer Affairs will undertake the procurement of pulses at market price. This will include pre-registered farmers on eSamridhi portal of NAFED and eSamyukit portal of NCCF.

Extension of Price Deficit Payment Scheme (PDPS) and Market Intervention Scheme (MIS)

The implementation of PDPS will motivate the states to come forward, as the coverage will enhance from the existing 25% of state production of oilseeds to 40%. This will also elevate the implementation period from 3 months to 4 months to benefit the farmers.

However, the Central Government will be responsible for covering the gap between MSP and Sale/Modal price, which cannot exceed 15% of MSP.

The expansion of MIS implementation will provide profitable prices to farmers and encourage them to grow perishable horticulture crops.