India Boosts Pulse Procurement Initiatives in Bihar and Chhattisgarh
The Government of India is making significant strides in agricultural procurement through the PM-AASHA scheme, expanding its operations in states like Chhattisgarh and introducing a groundbreaking initiative in Bihar. The National Cooperative Consumers’ Federation of India Ltd. (NCCF) and the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd. (NAFED) are taking the lead in these efforts, focusing on enhancing self-reliance in pulse production.
In a historic move, Bihar has launched its first structured pulse procurement initiative under the Atmanirbhar Pulses Mission. This program, spearheaded by the NCCF, has commenced organized procurement of masoor (lentil) for the very first time, signifying a pivotal step towards bolstering local pulse production capabilities. The initiative enjoys added support from scientific storage facilities, utilizing warehouses approved by the Warehousing Development and Regulatory Authority (WDRA) in partnership with the Central Warehousing Corporation.
As of April 22, 2026, Bihar has set an ambitious procurement target of 32,000 metric tonnes (MT) for masoor, with 16 Primary Agricultural Cooperative Society (PACS) and Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) registered. So far, 59 farmers have been onboarded, resulting in the completion of 100.4 MT of procurement.
Chhattisgarh Expands MSP Procurement
Meanwhile, in Chhattisgarh, the PM-AASHA scheme is gaining momentum, underscored by a digital transformation in farmer participation. The E-Samyukti portal is facilitating seamless engagement, accompanied by extensive awareness campaigns that reach farmers at the grassroots level, even through Doordarshan.
The state currently has 85 operational PACS centres, with procurement activities taking place in districts such as Dhamtari, Durg, Balod, Balodabazar, Raipur, Raigarh, and Sarangarh. Plans are in place to expand procurement to additional areas, including Sarguja, Kondagaon, and Koriya.
NCCF and NAFED Achievements
As of the same date, the NCCF has established substantial procurement targets and achievements in Chhattisgarh:
- Chana: Target – 63,325 MT; Achieved – 9,032 MT
- Masoor: Target – 5,360 MT; Achieved – 7.98 MT
- Registered Farmers: Chana – 16,012; Masoor – 451
- Benefited Farmers: Chana – 6,129; Masoor – 28
In parallel, NAFED has opened 137 centres through State Level Agencies, with direct procurement centres for both chana and masoor. They report an impressive registration of farmers and notable procurement achievements as well:
- Chana: Registered – 39,467; Achieved – 3,850 MT; Benefited – 2,645
- Masoor: Registered – 510; Achieved – 109 MT; Benefited – 281
These concerted efforts reflect the government’s unwavering commitment to strengthening the minimum support price (MSP)-based procurement ecosystem. By enhancing procurement infrastructure and embracing digital platforms, the initiative aims to enhance transparency, efficiency, and reach.
Both NCCF and NAFED are dedicated to scaling their operations in Bihar and Chhattisgarh, contributing significantly to national food security, price stability, and the broader goals of the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
Observer Voice is the one stop site for National, International news, Sports, Editor’s Choice, Art/culture contents, Quotes and much more. We also cover historical contents. Historical contents includes World History, Indian History, and what happened today. The website also covers Entertainment across the India and World.
Follow Us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, & LinkedIn
