Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay SanraksHan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA)

Introduction

Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay SanraksHan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA) is an umbrella scheme aimed at ensuring remunerative prices to the farmers for their produce.
In order to promote the farmer-friendly initiatives of the Government and keeping in view its commitment towards the farmers, government has approved a new comprehensive scheme ‘Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan’.
launched: launched in 2018.

To provide remunerative prices to farmers and to control price volatility of essential commodities for consumers.

The new Umbrella Scheme includes the mechanism of ensuring remunerative prices to the farmers and is comprised of

Procurement of these commodities are undertaken directly from pre-registered farmers at MSP as and when prices fall below MSP.
The procurement of notified pulses, oilseeds & copra at MSP under PSS will be on 25% of national production of these notified crops from 2024-25 season onwards.
However, the ceiling won't apply to Tur, Urad & Masur in 2024-25, as 100% procurement was previously decided for these crops.
It is implemented at the request of the State Government concerned which agrees to exempt the procured commodities of pulses, oilseeds and copra from levy of mandi tax and assist central nodal agencies, in logistic arrangements.

It envisages direct payment of the difference between the MSP and the selling/ modal price to pre-registered farmers selling oilseeds.
Fair Average Quality (FAQ) norms shall be decided/ approved by the DAC for each crop.
In order to encourage the states to come forward for implementation of PDPS as an option for Notified oilseeds, the coverage has been enhanced from existing 25% of state production of oilseeds to 40%.
Enhanced the implementation period from 3 months to 4 months for the benefits of farmers.
The compensation of difference between MSP and Sale/Modal price to be borne by Central Government is limited to 15% of MSP.

It has also been decided that participation of private sector in procurement operation needs to piloted so that on the basis of learnings the ambit of private participation in procurement operations may be increased.
The pilot district/selected APMC(s) of district will cover one or more crop of oilseeds for which MSP is notified. Since this is akin to PSS, in that in involves physical procurement of the notified commodity, it shall substitute PSS/PDPS in the pilot districts.
In addition to PDPS, for oilseeds, states have the option to roll out PPSS on a pilot basis in selected districts/Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMCs) of districts involving the participation of private stockist.
The selected private agency shall procure the commodity at MSP in the notified markets during the notified period from the registered farmers in consonance with the PPSS Guidelines, whenever the prices in the market fall below the notified MSP and whenever authorized by the state/UT government to enter the market and maximum service charges up to 15% of the notified MSP will be payable