Bhubaneswar: In a move aimed at securing better returns for farmers, the Centre has approved procurement of select pulses and oilseeds under the Price Support Scheme (PSS) for the Rabi 2025-26 season, responding to a request from the government of Odisha.
The decision was finalised during a virtual meeting between Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Odisha Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, signalling Centre-state coordination on farm price support.
Approved crops include pulses such as green gram and black gram, along with oilseeds like sunflower, groundnut, and mustard.
Chouhan approved Odisha’s procurement proposal covering multiple crops under MSP operations. The Centre cleared procurement of 34,492 metric tonnes of moong valued at Rs 302.42 crore, along with 1,19,387 metric tonnes of urad worth Rs 931.21 crore. In addition, approval has been granted for 20,219 metric tonnes of groundnut, with an estimated MSP value of Rs 146.85 crore, according to an official statement.
Singh Deo said the state will place special focus on expanding sunflower cultivation in western Odisha, especially in Kalahandi district, with the dual aim of boosting output and ensuring better price realisation for farmers.
The state government will closely monitor procurement operations throughout the 2025-26 season to ensure transparency and timely purchase of produce. The initiative is expected to help farmers secure remunerative prices and reduce market uncertainties.
Senior officials, including Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment Commissioner-cum-Secretary Sachin Ramchandra Jadhav and Director of Horticulture Kalunge Gorakh Waman, were present during the meeting along with other departmental officers.
The approval is expected to strengthen procurement systems in Odisha while providing a safety net to farmers during the upcoming Rabi marketing season.
