Andhra Pradesh seeks higher Bengal gram procurement under Price Support Scheme

The Government of Andhra Pradesh has urged the Centre to enhance the procurement quantity of Bengal gram under the Price Support Scheme (PSS) for the Rabi Marketing Season 2025–26, citing a sharp rise in production and market arrivals.

In a letter addressed to Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu requested that the procurement limit be increased from the currently approved 94,500 MT to 4,57,365 MT, in line with revised production estimates.

The Centre had earlier approved procurement of pulses under PSS, including Bengal gram, based on initial estimates of 3.77 lakh MT. However, updated figures from the State Agriculture Department indicate that the area under cultivation increased to 3,88,413 hectares, with expected production rising significantly to 4.57 lakh MT.

Procurement operations began on February 21 across major producing districts, with AP Markfed acting as the nodal agency. So far, about 70,000 MT had been procured under the PSS, benefiting around 26,000 farmers. Additionally, NAFED procured 12,000 MT under the Atmanirbhar scheme, taking total procurement to 82,000 MT.

Officials noted that market prices for Bengal gram were currently ranging between ₹5,000 and ₹5,200 per quintal, significantly below the Minimum Support Price of ₹5,875. This gap prompted farmers to bring large quantities to government procurement centres.

With arrivals continuing and higher output expected, the State government warned that the existing procurement cap may be insufficient, potentially forcing farmers into distress sales. It therefore urged the Centre to revise the procurement limit to cover the increased production and protect farmers’ interests fully.