Executive Summary:
The Government of India implements the Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PMAASHA) to ensure remunerative prices for farmers and affordable prices for consumers. The scheme integrates the Price Support Scheme (PSS) and Price Stabilisation Fund (PSF). NAFED and NCCF use eSamriddhi and eSamukti portals for transparent farmer registration and produce purchase.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **Price Support Scheme (PSS):**
* Operationalized upon request from State/UT Governments when market prices of notified pulses, oilseeds, and copra fall below MSP during peak harvesting.
* Aims to protect farmers from distress sales through procurement at MSP.
* Procurement is conducted by NAFED and NCCF through state-level agencies, directly from preregistered farmers with valid land records.
* **Price Stabilisation Fund (PSF):**
* Administered by the Department of Consumer Affairs.
* Protects consumers from price volatility of agri-horticultural commodities.
* Ensures availability at affordable prices through calibrated release of buffer stocks during low supply periods.
* Maintains buffer stocks of major pulses and onions.
* **Farmer Support and Awareness:**
* CNAs, State Governments and Primary Procuring Agencies conduct awareness and publicity activities using electronic and print media before the procurement season.
* **Digital Platforms (eSamriddhi and eSamukti):**
* Developed by NAFED and NCCF, respectively, to streamline the procurement process.
* Enable online farmer registration with details like Aadhaar, land records, bank information, and crop details.
* Allow preregistered farmers to select purchase centers and schedule visits.
* Ensure direct and timely transfer of MSP payments to farmers' bank accounts.
Impact Analysis:
* **Farmers:**
* Impact: Assured remunerative prices through MSP, reduced distress sales, direct benefit transfer, and transparent registration and procurement processes.
* Action Required: Preregister on eSamriddhi or eSamukti portals with necessary documents (Aadhaar, land records, bank details) and offer stocks at selected purchase centers.
* **Consumers:**
* Impact: Availability of essential commodities at affordable prices through price stabilization measures.
* Action Required: No direct action required; benefit from stabilized prices of pulses, oilseeds, and other commodities.
* **State Governments/UTs:**
* Impact: Responsible for requesting operationalization of PSS when market prices fall below MSP and for supporting awareness activities.
* Action Required: Monitor market prices, request PSS implementation when necessary, and support CNAs in awareness campaigns.
* **NAFED and NCCF:**
* Impact: Designated Central Nodal Agencies responsible for procurement under PSS and managing digital platforms.
* Action Required: Conduct procurement operations, manage eSamriddhi and eSamukti portals, ensure timely payments to farmers, and undertake awareness activities.
Key Entities Referenced
Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan PMAASHA: An integrated scheme by the Government of India to ensure remunerative prices to farmers and affordable prices to consumers.
Price Support Scheme PSS: A component of PMAASHA operationalized when market prices of notified commodities fall below the Minimum Support Price MSP.
Price Stabilisation Fund PSF: A component of PMAASHA administered by the Department of Consumer Affairs to protect consumers from price volatility.
Minimum Support Price MSP: The price at which the government purchases crops from farmers to safeguard them against price fluctuations.
National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd. NAFED: A Central Nodal Agency (CNA) responsible for procurement of commodities under the Price Support Scheme PSS.
National Cooperative Consumer Federation of India Ltd. NCCF: A Central Nodal Agency (CNA) responsible for procurement of commodities under the Price Support Scheme PSS.
eSamriddhi: A digital platform developed by NAFED to streamline the procurement process under the Price Support Scheme PSS.
eSamukti: A digital platform developed by NCCF to streamline the procurement process under the Price Support Scheme PSS.
O.I.H.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3748
TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 12TH AUGUST, 2025
PM-AASHA
3748. SHRI DAMODAR AGRAWAL:
Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ(cid:874)ष और (cid:873)कसान क(cid:227)याण मं(cid:287)ी
be pleased to state:
(a) the manner in which the integrated implementation of Price Support Scheme and
Price Stabilization Fund under Pradhan Mantri Annadata flag Sanrakshan Abhiyan help in
providing remunerative prices to farmers and to make available product affordable prices to
consumers;
(b) manner in which the Government provide support to farmers before their registration
for assured purchase by National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India
Limite (NAFED) and National Cooperative Consumer Federation of India Limited at
Minimum Support Price; and
(c) the manner in which the e-Samriddhi and e-Samukti portals of National Agricultural
Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Limited (NAFED) and National Cooperative
Marketing Federation of India Limited (NAFED) and National Cooperative Consumer
Federation of India Limited make the process of registration of farmers and purchase of
produce easy and transparent?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
कृ(cid:874)ष एवं (cid:873)कसान क(cid:227)याण रा(cid:207)य म(cid:287)ं ी (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR)
(a): The Government of India is implementing the integrated Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay
Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA) with the objective of ensuring remunerative prices to
farmers and making essential commodities available to consumers at affordable prices. The
scheme components are Price Support Scheme (PSS) and Price Stabilisation Fund (PSF),
along with Price Deficit Payment Scheme (PDPS) and Market Intervention Scheme (MIS).
PSS is operationalised on request of the concerned State/UT Governments when
market prices of notified pulses, oilseeds, and copra fall below the notified Minimum Support
Price (MSP) during the peak harvesting period. The primary objective of this component is
to safeguard farmers against distress sales by ensuring procurement at MSP. Under PSS,
procurement of eligible commodities conforming to the prescribed Fair Average Quality
(FAQ) standards is undertaken by designated Central Nodal Agencies (CNAs) i.e. National
Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd. (NAFED) and NationalCooperative Consumers’ Federation of India Ltd. (NCCF), which operate through State-level
agencies. Procurement is carried out directly from pre-registered farmers who possess valid
land records, thereby eliminating the role of intermediaries and ensuring that the benefits of
MSP accrue directly to farmers.
The Department of Consumer Affairs administers the PSF component of integrated
PM-AASHA with an objective of protecting consumers from volatility in prices of agri-
horticultural commodities and ensure availability at affordable prices. The commodity
procured under PSF buffer are released in a calibrated manner during low supply and lean
season. The Government maintains the buffer stocks of major pulses such as Tur, Urad,
Chana, Moong, Masur and onion under PSF.
The integrated implementation of PSS and PSF under PM-AASHA ensures a
balanced approach that supports farmers through assured procurement at MSP and
addresses consumer interests through price stabilisation measures, contributing to both
farmer welfare and food price stability.
(b): Under PM-AASHA, the Government provides support to farmers well before the
commencement of procurement operations through CNAs, State Governments, and their
designated agencies. To facilitate farmer participation and smooth registration, extensive
awareness generation and publicity activities are undertaken in advance of the procurement
season by CNAs, State Governments, and Primary Procuring Agencies through electronic
and print media.
(c): To ensure transparency, efficiency, and ease of operations under the Price Support
Scheme (PSS), NAFED and NCCF have developed dedicated digital platforms: e-Samriddhi
and e-Samukti respectively. These portals streamline the entire procurement process, from
farmer registration to final payment, thereby reducing manual intervention. Farmers can
register themselves on these portals by providing basic details such as Aadhaar number,
land records, bank account information, crop details etc. Pre-registered farmers, if willing to
offer their stock under the scheme, can select their nearest purchase centre, thereafter,
scheduling is done by portal for physical visit to centre on a particular date. This system
ensures timely and direct transfer of MSP payments into farmers’ bank accounts,
eliminating delays and intermediaries.
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