MSP Purchase Of Pulses To Hit New High

WITH MARKET PRICES falling below the minimum support price (MSP) due to strong crop prospects—after remaining elevated for two years—the government is set to approve the procurement of over 6 million tonne (MT) of oilseeds and 5 MT of pulses under the price support scheme (PSS) for the 2024-25 season (July-June) in key growing states.

- SANDIP DAS

Officials said that this would be the highest-ever MSP procurement for pulses and oilseeds in a single season. Previously, in 2017-18, government agencies had purchased 6.55 MT—comprising 4.55 MT of pulses and 2 MT of oilseeds—from farmers under the PSS.

The officials stated that so far the agriculture ministry has sanctioned the procurement of 4.5 MT of pulses—including tur, chana, urad, masur, and moong—across key states such as Karnataka, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Tamil Nadu in both the kharif and rabi seasons.

"A request for the procurement of 0.54 MT of chana in Rajasthan has been received, and approval is expected soon," an official said.

Currently, tur procurement is underway, while rabi procurement is expected to gain momentum in the coming weeks.