Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare
Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan approves procurement of 20 lakh MT potatoes in Uttar Pradesh, relief for farmers from distressed prices
Approval by Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh extends chana procurement limit to 1,13,250 metric tons in Andhra Pradesh and tur procurement till May 15, 2026, in Karnataka
Major relief for farmers: Beneficial prices for farmers in three states through Central Government’s decisions
Posted On:
18 APR 2026 4:04PM by PIB Delhi
In a landmark decision offering substantial relief to farmers and prioritising their economic well-being, the Government of India has formally approved the procurement of potatoes in the state of Uttar Pradesh, alongside chana procurement operations in Andhra Pradesh, and an important extension of the tur (pigeon pea) procurement timeframe in Karnataka. These strategic approvals, personally greenlit by Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, and Rural Development, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan are designed to guarantee that farmers receive fair and remunerative prices for their hard-earned produce. They effectively shield producers from the hardships of distress sales in volatile markets and contribute to overall stability and predictability in the agricultural marketplace, fostering a more secure environment for cultivation and trade.
Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan reaffirmed that, under the dynamic leadership and visionary guidance of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Central Government remains steadfastly committed to protecting and advancing the interests of every farmer across the nation. He elaborated that a core objective of the administration is to ensure that no farmer is compelled to offload their crops at undervalued rates due to market pressures or any unforeseen circumstances. Shri Chouhan highlighted the ministry's proactive approach, emphasising continuous and close coordination with state governments to deliver prompt, empathetic, and highly effective interventions tailored to farmers’ needs. In line with this, the approvals were issued today following a productive virtual meeting convened by Shri Shivraj Singh with the agriculture ministers and senior officials from the concerned states, underscoring the government’s responsive mechanism.
Uttar Pradesh: Greenlight for 20 LMT potato procurement
The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has accorded full approval to the Uttar Pradesh government’s detailed proposal for procuring potatoes under the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) specifically for the 2025-26 agricultural year. Pursuant to this sanction, a substantial volume of 20 LMT — or 20 lakh metric tonnes — of potatoes will be purchased across the state at a predetermined Market Intervention Price fixed at Rs. 6,500.9 per metric tonne. The Government of India’s projected financial contribution towards this initiative stands at Rs. 203.15 crore, reflecting strong central support. This timely measure will empower potato-growing farmers in Uttar Pradesh by securing them profitable returns on their investment and produce, while preventing forced sales at suboptimal prices amid market fluctuations. It represents a vital intervention to equilibrate the potato market dynamics within the state and robustly safeguard the livelihoods and economic interests of all potato producers involved.
Andhra Pradesh: Chana procurement ceiling raised to 1,13,250 metric tonnes
In a farmer-friendly move, Union Agriculture Minister Shri Chouhan has endorsed the Andhra Pradesh government’s request under the Price Support Scheme (PSS), initially approving the procurement of 94,500 metric tonnes of chana, also known as Bengal gram. Building on this, and in direct response to the state government’s further appeal, Shri Shivraj Singh has elevated the maximum allowable procurement quota for Bengal gram under PSS during the Rabi Marketing Season 2025-26 to an enhanced limit of 1,13,250 metric tonnes. This upward revision promises significant relief to chana cultivators in Andhra Pradesh, locking in remunerative pricing mechanisms and averting scenarios of distress selling that could otherwise erode their earnings.
Karnataka: Tur procurement window extended to May 15, 2026
Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan has graciously approved a 30-day extension for the ongoing procurement of tur (pigeon pea), commonly referred to as arhar, at the Minimum Support Price (MSP) through the Price Support Scheme (PSS) for the Kharif 2025-26 season in Karnataka. With this extension, procurement activities will now persist right up to May 15, 2026, granting producers much-needed additional flexibility. Karnataka’s tur farmers stand to gain immensely, as this prolonged window allows more of them to sell their harvests at the assured MSP, thereby accessing fair compensation and steering clear of undervalued distress transactions in local mandis.
These decisions unequivocally illustrate the central government’s unwavering proactivity — under Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s stewardship — in upholding farmers’ rights, facilitating superior pricing for key agricultural commodities, and fortifying the foundational pillars of the rural economy. Through seamless collaboration with state administrations, such measures not only instill greater confidence among stakeholders but also enhance stability, predictability, and a sense of security throughout the agricultural domain, paving the way for sustained growth and prosperity.
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RC/MS/MK
(Release ID: 2253270)
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