The Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA) is an umbrella initiative launched by the Government of India in September 2018. The scheme was introduced under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare to ensure farmers receive remunerative prices for their agricultural produce.
What is PM-AASHA?
PM-AASHA is a government scheme focused on pulses, oilseeds, and copra, providing price assurance through mechanisms such as procurement at Minimum Support Price (MSP), price deficiency payments, and market interventions. It aims to protect farmers from price volatility, reduce post-harvest distress selling, and stabilize the agricultural market.
The scheme is a vital part of India’s broader agricultural policy, aligned with goals such as doubling farmers’ income, promoting crop diversification, and ensuring food security.
Why was PM-AASHA Launched?
PM-AASHA was launched to address several critical challenges in the agricultural sector:
- Price Assurance for Farmers: Many farmers, especially small and marginal, face financial instability due to fluctuating market prices. PM-AASHA guarantees MSP to ensure farmers receive fair compensation.
- Control Price Volatility: Prices of essential commodities like pulses and oilseeds can fluctuate drastically. The scheme stabilizes market prices through interventions and direct procurement.
- Protect Farmer Income: By providing financial compensation or procurement mechanisms, PM-AASHA safeguards farmers’ income against market uncertainties.
- Promote Crop Diversification: The scheme encourages the cultivation of pulses and oilseeds, reducing dependency on imports and promoting sustainable agriculture.
- Ensure Consumer Affordability: By stabilizing prices, the scheme also ensures essential commodities remain available to consumers at reasonable prices.
What are the Key Objectives of PM-AASHA?
The main objectives of the PM-AASHA scheme are:
- Ensure farmers get fair prices
- Reduce post-harvest distress selling
- Promote cultivation of pulses, oilseeds, and copra
- Stabilize agricultural market prices
- Strengthen procurement operations
- Support domestic food security
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What are the Components of PM-AASHA?
PM-AASHA is an umbrella scheme consisting of three main components, each addressing different aspects of price support:
| Component | Purpose | Key Features |
| Price Support Scheme (PSS) | Physical procurement of pulses, oilseeds, and copra at MSP when market prices fall | – Central govt guarantees bank credit to CNAs – Implemented on request of states/UTs – Procurement ceiling: 25% of national production (100% for Tur, Urad, Masur) – Crops must meet FAQ standards |
| Price Deficiency Payment Scheme (PDPS) | Direct payment of difference between MSP and market price | – Only for oilseeds – Payment up to 15% of MSP value – No physical procurement required – States can choose PSS or PDPS |
| Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) | Stabilize prices for perishable crops like Tomato, Onion, Potato | – Intervention requested by states – Covers up to 25% of production with max 25% price difference from MIP – Activated if prices fall ≥10% from previous season |
| Price Stabilization Fund (PSF) | Provides working capital for procurement and distribution of agri-horticultural commodities | – Used for subsidized sale of Bharat Dals, Bharat Atta, Bharat Rice – Supports market interventions and procurement |
How does PM-AASHA Work?
The details about how the Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan works are as follows:
- Flexibility for States: States/UTs have the option to implement PSS or PDPS for oilseeds.
- Focus on Pulses: Pulses and copra are directly procured under PSS to reduce import dependency.
- Support for Perishables: MIS protects farmers from losses due to price drops in perishable commodities.
- Direct Payments: Farmers receive payments directly in their bank accounts through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
- Central and State Collaboration: CNAs work with state agencies to streamline procurement.
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What are the Recent Updates on PM-AASHA?
The recent updates of PM-AASHA are as follows:
| Update | Details |
| Extension till 2025-26 | Approved under the 15th Finance Commission Cycle. |
| Funding | Rs. 35,000 crore allocated for the period. |
| Enhanced Procurement | 100% of Tur, Urad, and Masur production will be procured under PSS. |
| Procurement Quantities | 13.22 LMT of Tur approved for Kharif 2024-25 across multiple states. |
| Record Soybean Procurement | 5.62 LMT procured in 2024 benefiting 2.42 lakh farmers. |
| Rabi 2023-24 Procurement | 6.41 LMT of pulses and 12.19 LMT of oilseeds procured, benefiting over 5.29 lakh farmers. |
What are the Achievements of PM-AASHA?
The details of the achievements of PM AASHA are as follows:
- Farmer Participation: Since 2018-19, over 99.3 lakh farmers have benefited.
- MSP Procurement: 195.39 LMT of pulses, oilseeds, and copra procured at ₹1.07 lakh crore MSP value.
- Market Stabilization: Price volatility for essential commodities has reduced.
- Self-Sufficiency in Pulses: Encouraged domestic production, reducing import dependency.
- Direct Payments: Ensured transparency and reduced delays in farmer compensation.
What are the Challenges of PM-AASHA?
The challenges faced while implementing the PM-AASHA scheme are as follows:
- Limited Crop Coverage: Only pulses, oilseeds, and copra are included.
- Infrastructure Constraints: Inadequate storage and logistics hinder large-scale procurement.
- Low PDPS Adoption: Many states prefer physical procurement under PSS.
- Bureaucratic Hurdles: Challenges in farmer registration and timely payments.
- Budgetary Limitations: The High cost of implementation limits expansion.
Why is PM-AASHA Important for Farmers and Consumers?
The PM-AASHA scheme is important for farmers and consumers because of the following reasons:
| Farmers | Consumers | Economy |
| Secures income and reduces financial risk | Ensures availability of essential commodities at reasonable prices | Enhances domestic production |
| Encourages cultivation of pulses and oilseeds | Reduces market volatility and sudden price spikes | Reduces dependency on imports |
| Provides direct payments under PDPS | — | Strengthens supply chains for essential commodities |
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Key Takeaways
| Feature | Details |
| Full Form | Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan |
| Launch Date | September 2018 |
| Administering Ministry | Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare |
| Objective | Ensure remunerative prices, reduce distress selling, stabilize markets |
| Crops Covered | Pulses, Oilseeds, Copra (Fair Average Quality) |
| Components | PSS, PDPS, MIS, PSF |
| Procurement Agencies | NAFED, FCI, NCCF, State Agencies |
| Flexibility | States can choose between PSS and PDPS for oilseeds |
| Key Updates | Extension till 2025-26, 100% Tur, Urad, Masur procurement, record Soybean procurement |
| Challenges | Limited crop coverage, infrastructure issues, low PDPS adoption |
Questions Based on PM-AASHA for Exam Aspirants
- What does PM-AASHA stand for?
- a) Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan
- b) Pradhan Mantri Agricultural Support and Help Association
- c) Prime Minister Agriculture Assistance Scheme
- d) Pradhan Mantri Annadata Ayushman Abhiyan
- e) None of the above
Answer: a
- When was PM-AASHA launched?
- a) 2016
- b) 2018
- c) 2019
- d) 2020
- e) 2017
Answer: b
- Which ministry administers PM-AASHA?
- a) Ministry of Food Processing
- b) Ministry of Consumer Affairs
- c) Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
- d) Ministry of Finance
- e) Ministry of Commerce
Answer: c
- Which crops are covered under PM-AASHA?
- a) Wheat, Rice, Maize
- b) Pulses, Oilseeds, Copra
- c) Fruits and Vegetables
- d) Cotton, Sugarcane, Tea
- e) All of the above
Answer: b
- Which component of PM-AASHA involves physical procurement of crops?
- a) PDPS
- b) PSS
- c) MIS
- d) PSF
- e) None
Answer: b
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- Which component provides direct payment of price difference to farmers?
- a) PSS
- b) PDPS
- c) MIS
- d) PSF
- e) None
Answer: b
- Which crops are focused under the MIS component?
- a) Pulses
- b) Oilseeds
- c) Perishable crops like Tomato, Onion, Potato
- d) Copra
- e) Cereals
Answer: c
- What is the procurement ceiling for PSS under PM-AASHA?
- a) 10% of national production
- b) 25% of national production
- c) 50% of national production
- d) 100% of national production
- e) No limit
Answer: b
- Which agency is involved in procurement under PM-AASHA?
- a) NAFED
- b) FCI
- c) NCCF
- d) State Agencies
- e) All of the above
Answer: e
- Until which year has PM-AASHA been extended?
- a) 2023-24
- b) 2024-25
- c) 2025-26
- d) 2026-27
- e) 2027-28
Answer: c
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