PM-AASHA: A beacon of hope for farmers and a significant step toward agricultural prosperity and self-reliance.
The Government of India launched the Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA) in 2018 to empower farmers economically and enhance their incomes. This scheme not only protects farmers from market price fluctuations but also ensures fair remuneration for their produce through the Minimum Support Price (MSP) mechanism. PM-AASHA has brought significant changes to the lives of farmers while strengthening the rural economy.
What is PM-AASHA?
PM-AASHA aims to provide price security to farmers and simplify the procurement of agricultural produce in a transparent manner. This scheme primarily focuses on pulses, oilseeds, and copra and has three major components:
- Price Support Scheme (PSS): Ensures MSP by purchasing crops directly from farmers.
- Price Deficiency Payment Scheme (PDPS): Compensates farmers for the difference between MSP and market price.
- Market Intervention Scheme (MIS): Stabilizes prices for perishable crops like tomatoes, onions, and potatoes.
Rabi 2023-24: A Landmark Achievement
During the Rabi 2023-24 season, PM-AASHA delivered outstanding benefits to farmers:
- 6.41 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of pulses worth ₹4,820 crore were procured.
- This directly benefited 2.75 lakh farmers.
- Crops procured included 2.49 LMT masoor (lentils), 43,000 MT chana (gram), and 3.48 LMT moong (green gram).
- Similarly, 12.19 LMT of oilseeds worth ₹6,900 crore were procured, benefiting 5.29 lakh farmers.
In response to falling soybean prices, the government, under the PSS, procured 5.62 LMT of soybean, benefiting 2.42 lakh farmers with a total value of ₹2,700 crore.
Striving for Self-Reliance in Agriculture
PM-AASHA has significantly contributed to India’s goal of self-reliance in agriculture:
- Since 2018-19:
- 195.39 LMT of pulses, oilseeds, and copra have been procured.
- Total MSP value: ₹1,07,433.73 crore.
- Over 99.30 lakh farmers have directly benefited.
- For the 2024-25 season, the procurement ceiling for tur, urad, and masoor was removed to boost production and self-sufficiency in these crops.
Price Deficiency Payment Scheme (PDPS): A New Horizon for Oilseed Farmers
Under PDPS, farmers are compensated for the gap between MSP and market price, ensuring fair remuneration for their oilseed produce. This scheme operates through a transparent auction process and allows farmers to sell up to 40% of their produce at a remunerative price.
Market Intervention Scheme (MIS): Addressing Price Volatility
MIS has proven to be a game-changer for perishable crops like tomatoes, onions, and potatoes.
- The scheme bridges price disparities between producing and consuming states.
- The government reimburses costs for storage and transportation from producing to consuming states, ensuring fair prices for farmers and consumers alike.
Empowering Farmers for a Viksit Bharat (Developed India)
PM-AASHA aligns seamlessly with the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, as it empowers the backbone of India’s economy—its farmers. By ensuring financial stability, promoting self-reliance, and boosting agricultural productivity, the scheme is helping to create a robust rural economy. This transformation supports broader national goals, including poverty alleviation, reducing income inequality, and fostering sustainable development. A self-sufficient agriculture sector contributes significantly to a developed India, making PM-AASHA a key pillar in realizing this vision.
Economic Empowerment of Farmers
PM-AASHA has played a critical role in protecting small and marginal farmers from market uncertainties and exploitation by intermediaries. It guarantees financial stability, encouraging farmers to invest more in agriculture and improve the quality of their produce.
Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA) has emerged as a cornerstone for empowering farmers and transforming the agricultural sector in India. By ensuring fair prices and protecting farmers from market volatility, the scheme has laid the foundation for a self-reliant and developed India.
