Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, today approved the procurement of 3.37 lakh metric tonnes of Tur (Arhar) in Maharashtra under the Price Support Scheme (PSS). The procurement, to be carried out at the Minimum Support Price (MSP), involves an estimated financial outlay of approximately ₹2,696 crore.
Discussion with Maharashtra’s Marketing Minister
During a meeting held in New Delhi, Shri Chouhan discussed procurement-related arrangements with Maharashtra’s Minister for Marketing, Shri Jaykumar Rawal. He issued necessary directions to NAFED, NCCF, and concerned state officials to ensure smooth and effective implementation of the procurement process.
Addressing the meeting, the Union Minister acknowledged that the decision would place a significant financial burden on the Central Government. However, he reiterated that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the government remains fully committed to safeguarding farmers’ interests.
Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan stressed the importance of conducting procurement in a proper and systematic manner. He underlined that direct procurement from farmers is essential to reduce the role of middlemen and to ensure that the benefits of MSP reach the actual cultivators. He also emphasized the need for a transparent and technology-enabled procurement mechanism to strengthen farmers’ trust and efficiency in the system.
