In a significant move to support Indian farmers and ensure price stability for consumers, the central government has approved a budget of ₹35,000 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA). This scheme aims to empower farmers with fair prices for their crops, while also maintaining stable prices for essential commodities like pulses, oilseeds, and copra.
A Lifeline for Farmers
The farming community in India often faces the challenge of not getting fair prices for their produce, which impacts their livelihoods. This issue is particularly critical during times of bumper harvests when market prices tend to fall. To tackle these fluctuations, the government has brought forth the PM-AASHA scheme, integrating the Price Support Scheme (PSS) and the Price Stabilization Fund (PSF). This combined approach aims to ensure both farmers’ income protection and price stabilization for consumers.
Under the revised scheme, the government will procure up to 25% of the national production of notified crops like pulses, oilseeds, and copra at Minimum Support Price (MSP), effective from the 2024-25 session. However, for pulses like tur, urad, and lentils, there will be no procurement limit, and the government will purchase 100% of these crops.
Enhanced Government Guarantee for Procurement
To further support the procurement process, the government has increased the guarantee for purchasing pulses, oilseeds, and copra to ₹45,000 crore. This financial backing ensures that more farmers will benefit from MSP, particularly through online platforms like NAFED's e-Samriddhi portal and the NCCF's e-Sanyukt portal. The efficient digital process will streamline crop purchases, reducing delays and ensuring transparency.
Benefits for Consumers: Stable Prices and Buffer Stocks
One of the key components of the PM-AASHA scheme is the Price Stabilization Fund (PSF), which will help in maintaining strategic buffer stocks of pulses and onions. This buffer stock will curb the excessive volatility in prices and protect consumers from sudden price hikes, particularly for essential food items. By discouraging hoarding and speculation, the government aims to ensure a steady supply of food in the market.
Broader Coverage Under PDPS and MIS
The Price Deficiency Payment Scheme (PDPS), another vital feature of PM-AASHA, has seen a significant coverage increase to 40%. This helps farmers by compensating for the difference between the MSP and the actual market prices when prices fall below the government-mandated MSP.
Additionally, the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) will now extend coverage to 25% for perishable horticultural crops. This expansion will benefit farmers who grow fruits and vegetables, which are often susceptible to rapid price drops at the time of harvest due to market oversupply.
Long-term Benefits for Farmers and Consumers
The PM-AASHA scheme not only provides immediate relief to farmers by ensuring they receive fair prices for their crops but also ensures affordable and consistent pricing for essential goods for consumers. The government’s efforts to absorb transportation and storage costs will further bridge the gap between farmgate and market prices during the harvest season.
This initiative reflects the government’s ongoing commitment to rural and agricultural development, while addressing both the economic well-being of farmers and the needs of urban and rural consumers.
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