More agencies allowed to procure pulses, oilseeds

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on Friday allowed public sector agencies, along with the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (Nafed), to procure oilseeds and pulses.

The CCEA approved the nomination of National Cooperative Consumer Federation of India Ltd, Central Warehousing Corporation and other public sector bodies as central agencies for the procurement, under the Price Support Scheme (PSS), a release said.

The release said the government has taken several steps to improve productivity and production of oilseeds and pulses through programmes like the National Food Security Mission and Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna.

“In view of this, it has been felt that more agencies are required in the procurement operation under PSS to provide MSP to the farmers by strengthening the system of procurement.” it said.

Nafed has been the only central nodal agency for procurement of oilseeds and pulses under PSS since 1976-77.

“The involvement of other public sector undertakings/cooperatives in the procurement operation, as and when the situation requires, will ensure minimum support price to the farmers for their produce, under PSS in a more effective manner,” the release added.