NEW DELHI: The Indian government is intensifying efforts to procure pulses such as tur, urad, and lentil from farmers through the Price Support Scheme (PSS) and the Price Stabilization Fund (PSF). These steps aim to offer a price guarantee, ensuring that farmers’ produce will be purchased by the government. Two key government cooperatives, Nafed and NCCF, have been tasked with procuring pulses and encouraging farmers to increase output. The procurement efforts focus on major pulse-producing states like Maharashtra, Karnataka, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh, where about 21 lakh farmers have already been registered ahead of the sowing season.

Under the PSS, funds are used to support farmers when market prices fall below the Minimum Support Price (MSP), while the PSF stabilizes agricultural commodity prices to protect consumers. The government's goal is to purchase 100% of pulses such as urad, tur, and lentil, which are imported in large quantities, and prevent distress sales among farmers. The assurance of fair pricing is seen as key to boosting domestic pulse production and making India self-sufficient in this area.

To support this, the government has introduced a dynamic Minimum Assured Procurement Price (MAPP), allowing agencies to purchase tur and urad at prices determined by the last three-day average mandi prices. In recent years, market prices have been above the MSP due to declining domestic production and increased demand, which led to difficulties in procuring pulses. However, with a potential increase in the tur crop, government agencies may now have to purchase pulses at MSP through PSS.

Additionally, the government has extended the free import policy for tur dal until March 2026. This policy, introduced in May 2021, allows for the free import of tur to keep domestic prices in check, as the country has faced challenges in meeting demand due to fluctuating domestic production.