PM-AASHA Scheme – Overview
The Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA) is a government initiative launched to safeguard the income of farmers by guaranteeing them fair prices for their agricultural produce—mainly pulses and oilseeds. The idea is to reduce the risk farmers face from falling market prices and make sure they actually benefit from the Minimum Support Price (MSP) announced by the government.
Why PM-AASHA was Launched
Farmers often face losses when market prices fall below the MSP. Although the MSP system existed, many farmers could not sell their crops at these rates due to poor procurement systems or lack of awareness. The PM-AASHA scheme was created to fill this gap and make MSP truly effective in improving farmers’ incomes.
Main Features of the PM-AASHA Scheme
The scheme has three major parts:
- Price Support Scheme (PSS):
In this component, government agencies physically purchase pulses and oilseeds from farmers at the declared MSP. This helps ensure that farmers get a guaranteed price even if market rates fall. - Price Deficiency Payment Scheme (PDPS):
Instead of physical procurement, under PDPS, the farmer sells their produce in the open market. If the price they receive is below the MSP, the government pays them the difference directly into their bank account. - Private Procurement & Stockist Scheme (PPSS):
Here, private players are allowed to procure crops at MSP, and they are supported by the government for doing so. This step was taken to reduce the burden on government agencies and involve the private sector in procurement.
Who Benefits from This Scheme?
Farmers who grow pulses and oilseeds are the main beneficiaries. The scheme is focused on crops that are usually vulnerable to price crashes and are often imported in large quantities.
Key Objectives
- Make sure farmers get the right price for their hard work.
- Improve the procurement process to make MSP more effective.
- Encourage higher production of pulses and oilseeds within India.
- Reduce the country’s dependence on imports for these crops.
Conclusion
The PM-AASHA scheme is an important step towards making Indian agriculture more reliable and rewarding. By offering different ways to ensure farmers get fair prices, the scheme helps protect them from sudden price drops and strengthens the rural economy.
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