In a significant move aimed at supporting India's pulse farmers, the central government has announced an extension for the procurement of green gram, commonly known as moong. The procurement window, which was previously set to conclude, will now remain open until January 22, 2025. This decision is designed to ensure farmers receive the benefits of the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for their harvests.
Details of the Procurement Extension
The extension was formally communicated by the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. The procurement operations are being carried out under the Price Support Scheme (PSS). This scheme is a crucial government intervention that comes into play when market prices for specific agricultural commodities fall below their declared MSP. By stepping in as a buyer, the government aims to protect farmers from distress sales and ensure they get a remunerative price for their produce.
The nodal agencies responsible for this large-scale procurement are the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED) and the National Cooperative Consumers' Federation of India (NCCF). These organizations are tasked with purchasing green gram directly from farmers at the guaranteed MSP across various registered procurement centers, primarily in key producing states.
Minimum Support Price and Market Context
For the current season, the government has set the Minimum Support Price for green gram at Rs 8,682 per quintal. This price serves as a safety net. The decision to extend procurement suggests that market prices in some regions may still be hovering below this benchmark, necessitating continued government intervention to stabilize farmer incomes.
This policy is particularly important for cultivating states like Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Telangana, which are major contributors to the country's moong production. The extension provides farmers in these regions with additional time and opportunity to sell their stocks to official agencies at the assured price.
Implications for Farmers and the Pulse Economy
The government's move is expected to have several positive outcomes. Primarily, it offers immediate economic relief and income security to countless moong cultivators. By guaranteeing a buyer at the MSP, it reduces the financial uncertainty that often plagues the agricultural sector post-harvest.
Furthermore, this proactive procurement plays a strategic role in bolstering the nation's buffer stock of pulses. Enhanced domestic stocks of green gram contribute to national food security and can help moderate retail prices of dal for consumers in the long run. It also reduces reliance on volatile international imports to meet domestic demand.
The extension signals the government's commitment to its promise of ensuring MSP as a viable marketing option for farmers. It underscores the ongoing challenges in the agricultural market ecosystem while demonstrating an administrative willingness to adapt policies to ground realities. As the new deadline of January 22 approaches, all stakeholders will be monitoring the procurement figures and their impact on both farmer welfare and market dynamics.
