Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA)

The PM-AASHA framework has received a ₹7,200 crore allocation for 2026–27 to strengthen MSP-based procurement, price support and farmer income protection.

About PM-AASHA

• PM-AASHA was launched in September 2018 to ensure remunerative prices for farmers, strengthen MSP implementation and reduce distress sales.
• The scheme combines different price-support mechanisms according to crop and market conditions while also seeking consumer price stability.
• Central nodal agencies and State governments prepare procurement arrangements before each marketing season to ensure timely MSP operations.

Policy Design and Institutional Framework

• PM-AASHA broadly includes Price Support Scheme (PSS), Price Stabilization Fund (PSF), Price Deficiency Payment Scheme (PDPS) and Market Intervention Scheme (MIS).
• NAFED and NCCF are major Central agencies involved in procurement operations under the scheme.

Strengthening Farm-to-Market Connectivity

• The Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) has sanctioned loans worth ₹96,426 crore for more than 2.14 lakh projects.
• e-NAM has integrated 1,656 mandis across 23 States and 4 Union Territories, facilitating agricultural trade worth about ₹4.95 lakh crore.
• Around 4,776 FPOs are registered on e-NAM, while 7,334 FPOs have been onboarded onto ONDC.
• The government has sanctioned 50,249 warehouses with 992.6 lakh MT storage capacity and over 25,000 agricultural marketing infrastructure projects.

Recent Reforms

• PM-AASHA reforms include biometric farmer authentication and direct procurement from pre-registered farmers to improve transparency.
• Transportation assistance has been introduced for Tomato, Onion and Potato (TOP) crops, along with price-differential support under MIS.
• Digital platforms are increasingly being used to reduce intermediaries and ensure direct and transparent farmer payments.

Bihar and Chhattisgarh Implementation

• Bihar has initiated organised Masur procurement for the first time through NCCF, using PACS and FPO networks.
• As of August 10, 2026, NCCF and NAFED together had procured substantial quantities of Masur in Bihar, directly benefiting registered farmers.
• Chhattisgarh has expanded procurement through 200 operational PACS and 12 FPOs, particularly for Chana, Masur and Mustard.
• These State-level initiatives are strengthening MSP procurement, market access and domestic pulse production.

Significance

• PM-AASHA provides a structured framework combining procurement, deficiency payments, buffer stocks and market intervention.
• The scheme helps reduce distress sales, improve price realisation and stabilise farm incomes.
• Digital reforms and stronger storage and marketing infrastructure are improving the transparency, reach and efficiency of agricultural support systems.