Government Strengthens MSP Procurement in Chhattisgarh; Launches First-Ever Structured Pulse Procurement in Bihar under Atmanirbhar Mission

📌 Summary:

• Government expanded procurement under PM-AASHA scheme through NCCF and NAFED in Chhattisgarh and Bihar

• Bihar sees first-ever structured pulse (masoor/lentil) procurement under Atmanirbhar Pulses Mission; target 32,000 MT; 100.4 MT procured so far (April 22, 2026); 16 PACS/FPOs registered; 59 farmers onboarded

• WDRA-approved warehouses with Central Warehousing Corporation support scientific storage in Bihar

• Chhattisgarh: 85 PACS centres operational in Dhamtari, Durg, Balod, Balodabazar, Raipur, Raigarh, Sarangarh; to expand to Sarguja, Kondagaon, Koriya

• NCCF CG performance: Chana target 63,325 MT; 9,032 MT procured; 6,129 farmers benefited; Masoor 7.98 MT procured

• NAFED CG performance: 137 centres via State Level Agencies; 3,850 MT chana procured; 2,645 farmers benefited; 109 MT masoor procured

• E-Samyukti portal enables digitised farmer participation and price transparency

• Initiative integrates farmers into formal supply chains, stabilises food prices, advances Atmanirbhar Bharat

🎯 UPSC Relevance: GS3 – Indian Economy: Agriculture, Food Security; PM-AASHA scheme; cooperative procurement model

📝 Prelims Facts:

• PM-AASHA: Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan — MSP-based procurement scheme

• NCCF: National Cooperative Consumers' Federation of India Ltd.

• NAFED: National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd.

• E-Samyukti: digital portal for farmer registration under PM-AASHA

• WDRA: Warehousing Development and Regulatory Authority

🔑 Key Term: Atmanirbhar Pulses Mission – initiative to achieve self-reliance in pulse production through structured procurement and MSP support, reducing import dependency on pulses