Relevance: GS III (Agriculture & Economy) | Source: Business Line / PIB

1. What is the News?

The Union Government has announced a massive plan to buy 52.19 lakh tonnes of three major Rabi crops—Gram (Chickpea), Mustard, and Lentils (Masur)—directly from farmers for the 2026 season.

• Why is this happening? In many local markets, the prices of these crops were falling below the government’s Minimum Support Price (MSP). If the government did not step in to buy them, farmers would have suffered heavy losses.
• A Quick Warning: The Agriculture Minister also reminded state governments to quickly use their pending farming funds under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) before the financial year closes on March 31, 2026.

2. How Does the Government Protect Farmers?

To understand this for UPSC, you need to know about the government’s special “safety net” tools:

• The Main Umbrella (PM-AASHA): This is a mega-scheme designed to make sure farmers actually get the promised MSP for their hard work, especially when they grow oilseeds and pulses (dals).
• The Action Plan (PSS): Under PM-AASHA, there is a tool called the Price Support Scheme (PSS). If mandi (market) prices crash, the Central Government activates PSS to buy the crops directly. The Centre bears whatever financial loss happens during this process.
• Who Actually Buys? The government itself doesn’t go to the market. It sends special national agencies like NAFED and NCCF to buy the crops from the farmers.

3. Which States are the Main Focus?

This huge buying operation will happen mainly in the states that grow these crops the most:

• Gram (Chickpea): Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Gujarat.
• Mustard (Oilseed): Rajasthan and Gujarat.
• Lentils (Masur): Madhya Pradesh.

4. Why is this Important for India? 

• Becoming Self-Reliant: India is on a mission to completely stop importing pulses from foreign countries by the year 2031. We want to grow all our dal at home.
• Nutrition Security: Dals are the main source of protein for most common Indians. Securing their production secures our national health.
• Encouraging Better Farming: When the government guarantees that it will buy pulses and oilseeds, farmers get the confidence to grow them. This slowly moves them away from water-thirsty crops like rice and wheat.

UPSC Value Box

With reference to the agricultural pricing and procurement policies in India, consider the following statements:

1. The Price Support Scheme (PSS) for the procurement of pulses and oilseeds is a key component of the PM-AASHA umbrella scheme.
2. Under the PSS, the physical procurement of pulses and oilseeds is primarily undertaken by the Food Corporation of India (FCI).
3. The Central Government bears the entire loss incurred during the procurement operations under the Price Support Scheme.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 1 and 3 only

(c) 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer: (b)