Bihar Pulse Procurement Initiative

  • First structured pulse procurement initiative launched in Bihar under the Atmanirbhar Pulses Mission
  • NCCF (National Cooperative Consumers' Federation of India Limited) leading organized procurement of masoor (lentil) in Bihar
  • NAFED (National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Limited) preparing to scale operations under the Price Support Scheme through its cooperative network

Chhattisgarh MSP Procurement

  • Procurement driven by NCCF utilizing:
  • E-Samyukti digital platform
  • PACS (Primary Agricultural Credit Societies) centres across multiple districts
  • Focus on crops like chana and masoor
  • Large-scale farmer participation

Atmanirbhar Pulses Mission

About:

  • Announced in Union Budget 2025-26
  • Launched in October 2025
  • Centrally sponsored scheme
  • Mission period: 2025-26 to 2030-31

Focus Crops:

  • Tur (Arhar)
  • Urad
  • Masoor

Key Objectives:

  1. Reducing imports
  2. Improving yields
  3. Promoting climate-resilient practices
  4. Enhancing farmers' incomes
  5. Ensuring long-term nutritional security

PM-AASHA (Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan)

Launch: 2018

Objective: Ensure MSP implementation, remunerative prices, reduce distress sales, and strengthen agricultural income stability.

Three Components:

ComponentFull FormFunction
PSSPrice Support SchemePhysical procurement of pulses, oilseeds, copra
PDPSPrice Deficiency Payment SchemeCompensation when market prices fall below MSP
PPSSPrivate Procurement & Stockist SchemeInvolves private players in procurement

Constitutional/Policy Context

  • Article 38 (DPSP): State shall secure economic justice to minimize inequalities
  • Article 43 (DPSP): State shall promote cottage industries and cooperative farming
  • Food Security Act, 2013: Ensures access to foodgrains including pulses
  • Zero Budget Natural Farming initiatives align with climate-resilient practices

Significance for India

  1. Self-Reliance: Reducing dependence on imported pulses
  2. Farmer Welfare: MSP protection ensures remunerative prices
  3. Nutrition Security: Pulses are critical protein source in Indian diet
  4. Digital Infrastructure: E-Samyukti platform modernizes procurement
  5. Cooperative Network: NCCF and NAFED strengthen last-mile delivery