PIB TrackerCentre clears big MSP procurement of pulses and oilseeds in four states
Under the Price Support Scheme, the Centre approved large-scale MSP procurement of moong, urad and groundnut in Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Haryana — protecting growers from distress sales.
What happened
- Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan approved large-scale procurement of pulses and oilseeds at Minimum Support Price (MSP) for four states under the Price Support Scheme (PSS).
- Uttar Pradesh is the biggest beneficiary, with approval for 48,298 MT of moong, 97,970 MT of urad and 41,718 MT of groundnut for Summer 2026 — a total MSP value exceeding Rs 1,490 crore.
- Gujarat received approval for 18,250 MT of moong (MSP value over Rs 160 crore), and Haryana for 2,115 MT of moong (over Rs 18 crore).
- Tamil Nadu's moong procurement limit for RMS 2025-26 was raised from 885 MT to 990 MT.
- The procurement, under the PSS, aims to ensure remunerative prices and protect farmers from distress sales.
For Prelims
- Price Support Scheme (PSS): A procurement mechanism under which the Centre buys notified pulses, oilseeds and copra at MSP through central nodal agencies (NAFED, NCCF) with state agencies, when market prices fall below MSP.
- PM-AASHA: Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay SanraksHan Abhiyan (launched 2018) is the umbrella scheme for assured price support; the PSS is one of its components (alongside price-deficiency and market-intervention arms).
- Minimum Support Price (MSP): The price at which the Government commits to buy notified crops; MSPs are recommended by the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) and announced by the Cabinet (CCEA).
- The crops: Moong (green gram) and urad (black gram) are pulses; groundnut is an oilseed — India is a major importer of pulses and edible oils, so domestic procurement supports self-sufficiency.
- Seasons: Kharif (monsoon-sown) and Rabi (winter-sown), plus a summer/zaid crop; moong is grown in Kharif and summer seasons.
- Why it matters: MSP procurement of pulses/oilseeds promotes crop diversification away from water-intensive paddy/wheat and improves nutritional and edible-oil security.
- Don't confuse: The PSS (physical procurement at MSP) is distinct from price-deficiency-payment models; MSP is recommended by CACP (a non-statutory body), not legally guaranteed.
For UPSC: The Centre approved large-scale MSP procurement of moong, urad and groundnut in UP, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Haryana under the Price Support Scheme. Anchor the PSS and the PM-AASHA umbrella, MSP and the CACP/CCEA process, NAFED/NCCF as nodal agencies, pulses vs oilseeds, cropping seasons (Kharif/Rabi/summer), and crop-diversification and edible-oil self-sufficiency.
What it is NOT: The Price Support Scheme is physical procurement at MSP (via NAFED/NCCF) under the PM-AASHA umbrella — not a price-deficiency cash-payment model. MSP is recommended by the CACP (a non-statutory advisory body) and is not a legal entitlement; moong/urad are pulses while groundnut is an oilseed.
For Mains
Syllabus: GS3.5 · GS3.2 · Linkage L2
Anchor
Price support and farmer income security — MSP procurement of pulses/oilseeds to prevent distress sales and encourage diversification.
Substantiation (data)
PSS procurement in 4 states: UP (moong/urad/groundnut, Rs 1,490 cr+ MSP value), Gujarat (18,250 MT moong), Haryana (2,115 MT), Tamil Nadu (raised to 990 MT).
Exemplification
Cite PSS procurement under PM-AASHA as an example of using MSP to promote pulses/oilseeds self-sufficiency and reduce import dependence.
Problematisation
Sluggish/limited procurement, skew toward paddy-wheat, fiscal and storage costs, and tenant-farmer exclusion limit MSP's reach for pulses/oilseeds.
Way-forward
Strengthen procurement infrastructure and nodal-agency capacity, expand pulses/oilseeds coverage, and align MSP with diversification and nutrition goals.
Position
Government stance: PSS procurement ensures remunerative MSP for pulse and oilseed growers and advances self-sufficiency in pulses and edible oils.
Deploys into: MSP & procurement (PSS/PM-AASHA, CACP) · pulses & edible-oil self-sufficiency · crop diversification & farmer incomes · agri marketing (GS3.5 MSP/buffer stocks & food security, GS3.2 inclusive growth & agriculture).
Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare · 2026-06-18 · PRID 2274919 · PIB source ↗