Agriculture Ministry's indication: No worries about gram production; Procurement started from farmers on MSP

To create buffer stock, control prices, and meet state demand for distribution under their welfare schemes, the Central government has begun buying chana from farmers at the minimum support price (MSP). The Agriculture Ministry has stated that gramme production is unaffected, according to Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khare's statement on Tuesday. As of right now, production is not an issue. For the Rabi marketing season 2024–2025, Rs 5,440 per quintal is the minimum support price per gramme.

The Secretary said, that due to the increase in the arrival of the gram crop, the market prices have become soft and have reached the MSP level. We have just started the procurement campaign. With increasing demand for gram from states for distribution through their welfare schemes, there is now pressure on the buffer stock, he said. Earlier only 3-4 states used to take gram from the buffer stock for welfare schemes. Now, 16 state governments are purchasing chana from buffer stock for nutritional security. Four more states like Karnataka, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh have requested for gram.

The Center has directed the states to stop hoarding. Now, traders, importers and millers must declare their stock position of pulses under the rule effective from April 15.