Amit Shah Launches Portal For Procurement Of Pulses

Amit Shah Launches Portal

The Union Cooperation Minister, Amit Shah, has recently launched a portal aimed at facilitating the procurement of pulses. In an effort to reduce dependency on imports, Shah has urged farmers to cultivate pulses on a large scale. He has assured them that the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Limited (NAFED) and the National Cooperative Consumers’ Federation of India Limited (NCCF) will procure the produce at a minimum support price or the market price.

The launch of this portal marks a significant step towards promoting domestic production and self-sufficiency in pulses. Pulses, also known as legumes, are an essential source of protein and play a crucial role in the Indian diet. However, in recent years, India has been heavily reliant on imports to meet its increasing demand for pulses.

His remarks came while launching a tur dal procurement portal through which farmers can register and sell their produce to the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd. (Nafed) and the National Cooperative Consumers’ Federation of India (NCCF) at a minimum support price or market price. Nafed and NCCF are two central nodal agencies that undertake pulse procurement on behalf of the government to maintain a buffer stock under the Price Stabilization Fund (PSF). They also buy pulses under the Price Support Scheme when the rates fall below the MSP

Amit Shah’s call to farmers to cultivate pulses on a large scale is a strategic move to address this issue. By encouraging domestic production, the government aims to reduce the country’s dependence on imports and ensure a stable supply of pulses for its citizens.

The procurement portal launched by Amit Shah will serve as a platform for farmers to sell their pulse produce directly to the government. This initiative aims to streamline the procurement process and ensure that farmers receive fair prices for their crops. The portal will also provide transparency in the procurement system, eliminating intermediaries and reducing the chances of corruption.

NAFED and NCCF, the two cooperatives responsible for procuring the pulses, will purchase the produce at a minimum support price or the prevailing market price. This ensures that farmers are guaranteed a fair price for their efforts, providing them with the necessary financial security and incentivizing them to cultivate pulses on a larger scale.

By promoting domestic production, the government not only aims to reduce imports but also create employment opportunities in the agricultural sector. Increased cultivation of pulses will require additional labor, benefiting rural communities and contributing to the overall economic growth of the country.

Furthermore, cultivating pulses has numerous environmental benefits. Pulses are nitrogen-fixing crops, which means they have the ability to capture nitrogen from the air and convert it into a form that can be used by plants. This reduces the need for synthetic fertilizers, thereby minimizing the environmental impact of agriculture.

Overall, Amit Shah’s launch of the procurement portal for pulses is a significant step towards achieving self-sufficiency in pulses and reducing the country’s reliance on imports. By providing a platform for direct selling and ensuring fair prices for farmers, this initiative aims to incentivize increased cultivation of pulses. This, in turn, will not only address the nutritional needs of the population but also contribute to the overall development of the agricultural sector and the economy as a whole.