Parliament Question: Integration of Odisha’s traditional crops into national public procurement programs

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1612 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 13/02/2026 INTEGRATION OF ODISHA’S TRADITIONAL CROPS INTO NATIONAL PUBLIC PROCUREMENT PROGRAMS 1612. SMT. SULATA DEO: Will the minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE be pleased to state: (a) whether there is a plan to integrate Odisha’s traditional and indigenous crops, including millets and pulses, into national public procurement programs; and (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR) (a) & (b): Government implements various intervention schemes to provide remunerative price to farmers. Government extends price support for paddy and wheat through the Food Corporation of India (FCI) and State Agencies which purchase at MSP, whatever food grains offered by farmers within the stipulated period & conforming to the specifications prescribed. Further, different types of nutri-cereals and maize are procured by State Governments in consultation with FCI to the extent that the concerned State Government may utilize the same for distribution under Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) as well as Other Welfare Schemes (OWS). Oilseeds, pulses and copra of Fair Average Quality (FAQ) are procured from registered farmers under Price Support Scheme under Umbrella Scheme of Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay SanraksHan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA), as per its prescribed guidelines at MSP in consultation with the concerned State Government as and when market price of these produce fall below the MSP. *****