PM-AASHA Scheme: Ensuring Fair Prices for Farmers' Produce
The Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA) aims to guarantee Minimum Support Price (MSP) to farmers for their crops.
Source: PIB All ReleasesThe Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA) is a central government scheme launched to ensure remunerative prices for farmers. It was approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) in September 2018. The scheme comprises three components to provide a safety net for farmers. These are the Price Support Scheme (PSS), Price Deficiency Payment Scheme (PDPS), and Private Procurement & Stockist Scheme (PPSS). PM-AASHA helps farmers get the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for their produce, especially for oilseeds, pulses, and copra. The scheme aims to protect farmers from market price fluctuations and ensure their income stability. PM-AASHA is a crucial step towards doubling farmers' income by 2022, a key government objective.
PM-AASHA is vital for competitive exams like UPSC, SSC, and Banking as it falls under Government Schemes and Agriculture. Aspirants should understand its components, objectives, and impact on farmers' income. It links to UPSC GS Paper III (Economy, Agriculture) and SSC General Awareness. Questions often focus on the scheme's purpose, implementation, and the types of crops covered.
- PM-AASHA was approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) in September 2018.
- The scheme has three main components: Price Support Scheme (PSS), Price Deficiency Payment Scheme (PDPS), and Private Procurement & Stockist Scheme (PPSS).
- It primarily focuses on ensuring Minimum Support Price (MSP) for oilseeds, pulses, and copra.
- The scheme aims to ensure remunerative prices for farmers and stabilize their income.
- PM-AASHA is a central sector scheme, meaning the central government bears the full cost.
- The Food and Public Distribution Department implements the Price Support Scheme (PSS) for paddy and wheat.
MSP is a form of market intervention by the Government of India to protect agricultural producers against any sharp fall in farm prices. The government announces MSPs for 22 mandated crops and Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) for sugarcane. It is based on recommendations from the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP).
Under PSS, central nodal agencies like NAFED and FCI procure pulses, oilseeds, and copra directly from farmers at MSP. The procurement is done when market prices fall below the MSP. The losses, if any, incurred by the procuring agencies are reimbursed by the central government.
PDPS compensates farmers for the difference between the MSP and the market price. Instead of physical procurement, the government pays the difference directly into the farmer's bank account. This scheme is an alternative to physical procurement and reduces storage and handling costs.
Exams frequently ask about the components of PM-AASHA (PSS, PDPS, PPSS) and its primary objective. Be prepared for questions on the crops covered and the year of its launch.
Remember PM-AASHA as 'AASHA' (hope) for farmers to get fair 'AAY' (income) through MSP for their 'ANNADATA' (food provider) efforts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main objective of the Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA)?
The main objective of PM-AASHA is to ensure remunerative prices to farmers for their produce. It aims to protect farmers from market price crashes and guarantee that they receive at least the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for their crops, thereby stabilizing their income.
Which crops are primarily covered under the PM-AASHA scheme?
PM-AASHA primarily focuses on ensuring Minimum Support Price (MSP) for oilseeds, pulses, and copra. While MSP is declared for many crops, the specific components of PM-AASHA are designed to address price realization issues for these particular commodities.
What are the three components of the PM-AASHA scheme?
The PM-AASHA scheme has three key components: the Price Support Scheme (PSS), the Price Deficiency Payment Scheme (PDPS), and the Private Procurement & Stockist Scheme (PPSS). Each component offers a different mechanism to ensure farmers receive fair prices for their agricultural produce.