New Delhi, Aug 21: The Centre is strengthening efforts to protect farmers from distress sales and improve their earnings through the Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA), with greater emphasis on timely procurement, digital verification and better market access.
Launched in 2018, PM-AASHA brings together different price-support mechanisms to help farmers receive remunerative prices while also helping maintain stability in agricultural markets. The scheme is particularly important for pulses, oilseeds and other crops where farmers can face sharp price fluctuations during the harvest season.
Under the Price Support Scheme, government agencies procure eligible crops when market prices fall below the Minimum Support Price (MSP). Recent reforms have also introduced measures such as biometric authentication and direct procurement from pre-registered farmers, aimed at making the process more transparent and reducing the possibility of middlemen affecting farmers’ payments.
The government has also expanded the financial backing for PM-AASHA. According to the information provided by the Agriculture Ministry, expenditure under the scheme stood at about ₹5,438 crore in 2024-25, while the allocation has increased to ₹7,200 crore for 2026-27. The higher allocation reflects the focus on strengthening price assurance and supporting farmers during periods of market volatility.
MSP remains an important part of this support system. The government fixes MSPs for 22 mandated agricultural crops, taking into account recommendations of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices as well as views from states and concerned ministries.
For farmers, the significance of these measures goes beyond procurement figures. When market prices fall sharply after harvest, timely government procurement can provide a safety net and reduce the pressure to sell produce at unremunerative rates. Better digital systems can also make registration, verification and payments more transparent.
The government is simultaneously working to improve the infrastructure that connects farmers with markets. Initiatives such as the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund and e-NAM are intended to strengthen storage, processing, transportation and digital agricultural trading. These efforts can help farmers retain greater control over when and where they sell their produce.
The broader objective is to build a farming system in which farmers have greater confidence that their produce will find a market at a fair price. With stronger procurement networks, digital technology and investment in agricultural infrastructure, PM-AASHA is being positioned as an important tool for improving price realisation and strengthening rural incomes.
The government’s recent MSP measures also underline the continued focus on ensuring returns above production costs for major crops. For the 2026-27 rabi marketing season, the government has estimated procurement of around 297 lakh metric tonnes, with farmers expected to receive about ₹84,263 crore at MSP.
For millions of farmers, the real test of these reforms will be how quickly and effectively support reaches them at the time of sale. A procurement system that is accessible, transparent and responsive can make a meaningful difference to farm families while contributing to a more stable agricultural economy.