Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan chaired a virtual review meeting with state agriculture ministers and senior officials to assess the progress of Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) and Krishi Unnati Yojana across states. The Minister emphasized that while the Centre is extending strong price support to farmers through large-scale procurement under Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA) for the Rabi 2026 season, it is equally critical for states to ensure timely and farmer-centric utilization of allocated funds.
During the meeting, progress was reviewed for Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Uttarakhand, Tripura, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, and Haryana. The Minister directed states to ensure 100 percent utilization of funds by March 31, before the close of the financial year, stressing that delays or partial expenditure weaken the intended impact of development schemes.
Under PM-AASHA, key components such as the Price Support Scheme (PSS), Price Deficiency Payment Scheme (PDPS), Market Intervention Scheme (MIS), and Price Stabilization Fund (PSF) are being leveraged to guarantee remunerative and assured prices to farmers.
For Rabi 2026, substantial procurement approvals have been granted under PSS. Gram procurement has been approved for 7,61,250 metric tonnes in Maharashtra, 4,13,250 metric tonnes in Gujarat, 5,80,000 metric tonnes in Madhya Pradesh, and 5,53,000 metric tonnes in Rajasthan. For mustard, 13,78,750 metric tonnes have been sanctioned in Rajasthan and 1,33,000 metric tonnes in Gujarat. Additionally, procurement of 6,01,000 metric tonnes of lentil has been approved in Madhya Pradesh. The Minister stated that assured procurement at Minimum Support Price (MSP) will provide income security to farmers, particularly during periods of market price volatility.
The meeting also highlighted the “Self-Reliance in Pulses Mission,” which aims to achieve pulse self-sufficiency by 2030–31. Under this framework, the entire pre-registered production of tur (pigeon pea), urad, and lentil will be procured through central nodal agencies, ensuring stable markets for farmers while reducing import dependence.
The Minister underscored that 18 schemes are currently operational under RKVY and Krishi Unnati initiatives, and their effective ground-level implementation will determine tangible outcomes. He called for stronger Centre–State coordination, time-bound execution, and rigorous monitoring to ensure that policy decisions translate into measurable benefits for farmers.
The series of farmer-focused interventions, he noted, will further strengthen agricultural stability, enhance income assurance, and contribute to a more resilient and prosperous farm sector.
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