The Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PMAASHA) is an integrated scheme implemented by the Government of India, aiming to ensure remunerative prices for farmers and affordable prices for consumers. It comprises the Price Support Scheme (PSS), Price Stabilisation Fund (PSF), Price Deficit Payment Scheme (PDPS), and Market Intervention Scheme (MIS).
The PSS is activated upon request from State/Union Territory governments when market prices of notified pulses, oilseeds, and copra fall below the Minimum Support Price (MSP) during harvest. The objective is to protect farmers from distress sales through procurement at MSP by Central Nodal Agencies (CNAs) such as the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd. (NAFED) and the National Cooperative Consumers Federation of India Ltd. (NCCF), operating through state-level agencies. Procurement is carried out directly from pre-registered farmers with valid land records to eliminate intermediaries.
The PSF, administered by the Department of Consumer Affairs, aims to protect consumers from price volatility in agri-horticultural commodities and ensure availability at affordable prices. The government maintains buffer stocks of pulses (Tur, Urad, Chana, Moong, Masur) and onion under the PSF, releasing stocks strategically during periods of low supply.
To facilitate farmer participation and transparency, NAFED and NCCF have developed digital platforms, eSamriddhi and eSamukti, respectively. These portals streamline the procurement process, from registration to payment, reducing manual intervention. Farmers can register using Aadhaar number, land records, bank account information, and crop details, and schedule visits to purchase centers. The system ensures timely and direct transfer of MSP payments to farmers' bank accounts.
The information was provided by Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Ramnath Thakur in a written reply in Lok Sabha. The scheme was posted on August 12, 2025.
Key Entities Referenced
PRADHAN MANTRI ANNADATA AAY SANRAKSHAN ABHIYAN PMAASHA: An integrated scheme implemented by the Government of India to ensure remunerative prices to farmers and making essential commodities available to consumers at affordable prices.
Price Support Scheme PSS: A component of PMAASHA, operationalised on request of State/UT Governments when market prices of notified commodities fall below MSP.
Price Stabilisation Fund PSF: A component of PMAASHA administered by the Department of Consumer Affairs with the objective of protecting consumers from price volatility.
Price Deficit Payment Scheme PDPS: A component of PMAASHA.
Market Intervention Scheme MIS: A component of PMAASHA.
Minimum Support Price MSP: The price at which the government procures certain crops from farmers to protect them from price fluctuations.
National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd. NAFED: A Central Nodal Agency (CNA) responsible for procurement of eligible commodities under PSS.
National Cooperative Consumers Federation of India Ltd. NCCF: A Central Nodal Agency (CNA) responsible for procurement of eligible commodities under PSS.
Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
PRADHAN MANTRI ANNADATA AAY
SANRAKSHAN ABHIYAN (PM-AASHA)
Posted On: 12 AUG 2025 4:11PM by PIB Delhi
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 National Cooperative 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 stabilization
measures, contributing to both farmer welfare and food price stability.
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.
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.
This information was given by Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare,Shri Ramnath Thakur in
a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
******RC/ KSR/AR
(Release ID: 2155528)