Govt mulls measures to boost MSP procurement of chana

WITH A SLUGGISH pace in the procurement of chana this season, the government is considering measures to boost the purchases.

- SANDIP DAS

Sources said that in the current season, procurement (2024-25) of chana or chickpeas, which has around 50% share in total production of pulses, has been slow as agencies such farmers' cooperative Nafed and NCCF have purchased only 0.2 million tonne (MT) so far against the buffer of one MT.

"As mandi prices are ruling just below the minimum support price of ₹5,650/quintal which discourages the farmers to sell to agencies at MSP," sources said, adding that procurement operations under the price support scheme are still on.