Lok Sabha Question No. 3748 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-12
Subject: PM-AASHA
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Damodar Agrawal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3748

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 12 TH  AUGUST, 2025

## PM-AASHA

3748.  SHRI DAMODAR AGRAWAL:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ͪष और ͩकसान कãयाण मंğी be pleased to state:

(a) the  manner  in  which  the  integrated  implementation  of  Price  Support  Scheme  and Price Stabilization Fund under Pradhan Mantri Annadata flag Sanrakshan Abhiyan help in providing remunerative prices to farmers and to make available product affordable prices to consumers;

(b) manner in which the Government provide support to farmers before their registration for  assured  purchase  by  National  Agricultural  Cooperative  Marketing  Federation  of  India Limite  (NAFED)  and  National  Cooperative  Consumer  Federation  of  India  Limited  at Minimum Support Price; and

(c) the manner in which the e-Samriddhi and e-Samukti portals of National Agricultural Cooperative  Marketing  Federation  of  India  Limited  (NAFED)  and  National  Cooperative Marketing  Federation  of  India  Limited  (NAFED)  and  National  Cooperative  Consumer Federation  of  India  Limited  make  the  process  of  registration  of  farmers  and  purchase  of produce easy and transparent?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ͪष एवं ͩकसान कãयाण राÏय मंğी (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR)

(a): The Government of India is implementing the integrated Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan  Abhiyan  (PM-AASHA)  with  the  objective  of  ensuring  remunerative  prices  to farmers and making essential commodities available to consumers at affordable prices. The scheme components are Price Support Scheme (PSS) and Price Stabilisation Fund (PSF), along with Price Deficit Payment Scheme (PDPS) and Market Intervention Scheme (MIS).

PSS is operationalised  on request  of the concerned  State/UT Governments  when market prices of notified pulses, oilseeds, and copra fall below the notified Minimum Support Price (MSP) during the peak harvesting period. The primary objective of this component is to safeguard farmers against distress sales by ensuring procurement at MSP. Under PSS, procurement  of  eligible  commodities  conforming  to  the  prescribed  Fair  Average  Quality (FAQ) standards is undertaken by designated Central Nodal Agencies (CNAs) i.e. National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd.  (NAFED)  and National

Cooperative Consumers' Federation of India Ltd. (NCCF), which operate through State-level agencies. Procurement is carried out directly from pre-registered farmers who possess valid land records, thereby eliminating the role of intermediaries and ensuring that the benefits of MSP accrue directly to farmers.

The Department of Consumer Affairs administers the PSF component of integrated PM-AASHA  with  an  objective  of  protecting  consumers  from  volatility  in  prices  of  agrihorticultural  commodities  and  ensure  availability  at  affordable  prices.  The  commodity procured under PSF buffer are released in a calibrated manner during low supply and lean season. The Government maintains the buffer stocks of major pulses such as Tur, Urad, Chana, Moong, Masur and onion under PSF.

The  integrated  implementation  of  PSS  and  PSF  under  PM-AASHA  ensures  a balanced  approach  that  supports  farmers  through  assured  procurement  at  MSP  and addresses  consumer  interests  through  price  stabilisation  measures,  contributing  to  both farmer welfare and food price stability.

(b):    Under  PM-AASHA,  the  Government  provides  support  to  farmers  well  before  the commencement of procurement  operations through  CNAs,  State  Governments,  and  their designated  agencies.  To  facilitate  farmer  participation  and  smooth  registration,  extensive awareness generation and publicity activities are undertaken in advance of the procurement season by CNAs, State Governments, and Primary Procuring Agencies through electronic and print media.

(c):    To  ensure  transparency,  efficiency,  and  ease  of  operations  under  the  Price  Support Scheme (PSS), NAFED and NCCF have developed dedicated digital platforms: e-Samriddhi and e-Samukti respectively. These portals streamline the entire procurement process, from farmer  registration  to  final  payment,  thereby  reducing  manual  intervention.  Farmers  can register  themselves  on these portals by providing basic details such as Aadhaar number, land records, bank account information, crop details etc. Pre-registered farmers, if willing to offer  their  stock  under  the  scheme,  can  select  their  nearest  purchase  centre,  thereafter, scheduling  is  done  by portal  for  physical  visit  to  centre  on  a  particular  date.  This  system ensures  timely and  direct  transfer  of  MSP  payments  into  farmers'  bank  accounts, eliminating delays and intermediaries.

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