The government has approved the continuation and expansion of the Pradhan Mantri Aasha Scheme (PM-Aasha).
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that the Cabinet has approved the scheme with a budget of Rs 35,000 crore.
PM Aasha, also known as Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan, aims to boost self-sufficiency in the production of pulses, oilseeds, and other essential agricultural products.
The scheme plans to purchase all pulses and oilseeds at the Minimum Support Price (MSP), providing significant relief to farmers.
According to CNBC-Awaaz, the country is working towards becoming self-reliant in these key commodities.
Government Support for Farmers Under PM-Aasha
Under the PM-Aasha scheme, the government purchases crops when their market prices fall below the MSP.
For example, when soybean prices recently dropped below MSP, the government decided to buy soybean in three states.
This year, the initial budget for the scheme was set at Rs 6,437 crore, but it has since been increased to accommodate more purchases.
Since 2018, the central government has been running price support programs for pulses, oilseeds, and other crops like copra.
This support helps farmers by covering the difference when market prices fall below MSP. As a result, the buffer stock of pulses has grown from a few lakh tonnes to 20 lakh tonnes.
Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan has repeatedly affirmed the government’s commitment to purchasing 100% of tur, urad, and lentils at MSP from all states.
Ensuring Fair Prices for Farmers
The PM-Aasha scheme was first announced in September 2018 with the goal of ensuring that farmers growing pulses, oilseeds, and similar crops receive the MSP for their produce.
The MSP is a price set by the Government of India to protect farmers from sharp drops in market prices.
It guarantees that farmers receive a fair price for their crops, even if the market fluctuates.
