New Delhi: Cooperation Minister Amit Shah marked a significant step towards bolstering agricultural infrastructure by inaugurating a pioneering tur dal procurement portal on Thursday. The portal offers farmers the opportunity to register and sell their produce directly to the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd (NAFED) and the National Cooperative Consumers' Federation of India Limited (NCCF) at either the minimum support price (MSP) or prevailing market rates. Shah also disclosed plans to extend a similar facility to urad, masoor, and maize farmers in the near future.
In a symbolic gesture of support, the minister utilized the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mechanism to transfer approximately Rs 68 lakh to 25 farmers as payment for tur dal sales made through the newly launched portal.
NAFED and NCCF, acting on behalf of the government, undertake the procurement of pulses to maintain a strategic buffer stock. Shah emphasized that ahead of the sowing season, tur farmers can register on the portal, providing them with the option to vend their yield to NAFED and NCCF at the MSP.
Highlighting the flexibility offered, Shah emphasized that registered tur farmers could opt to sell to either NAFED/NCCF or the open market. In instances where the open market price exceeds the MSP, an average rate would be determined through a formulated approach.
Shah underscored the significance of this initiative in reforming the agriculture sector, addressing the historical uncertainty of pulse prices that deterred many farmers from cultivating them. He asserted that through procurement via the portal, the country could potentially achieve self-reliance in pulses production, affirming, "Tur will be procured from farmers, and it is Prime Minister Narendra Modi's commitment."
Expressing concern over the country's dependence on pulse imports, Shah outlined an ambitious target, stating, "By December 2027, India aims to achieve self-reliance in pulses. From January 2028 onwards, we will cease the import of even a single kilogram of pulses."
Shah urged Primary Agriculture Credit Societies (PACS), Farmer Producers Organisations (FPOs), and progressive farmers to promote awareness about the portal, encouraging fellow farmers to leverage this beneficial platform.
While acknowledging the remarkable increase in pulse production over the last decade, reaching 26.05 million tonnes in the 2022-23 crop year from 19.2 million tonnes in 2013-14, Shah highlighted the persisting shortfall in domestic production compared to consumption, necessitating continued reliance on imports.
Joining Shah at the event were Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda, Minister of State for Cooperation B L Verma, and Minister of State for Consumer Affairs Ashwini Choubey.
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