India Approves 1.25 Lakh Tonnes Pulses, Oilseeds Buy from Telangana

The Indian government has approved the procurement of 1.25 lakh metric tonnes of pulses and oilseeds from farmers in Telangana for the 2026 Rabi season, aiming to shield cultivators from market price volatility through purchases at the minimum support price. The decision, announced on March 11, involves an estimated investment of over Rs 894 crore and targets key crops grown during the winter harvest period.

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan confirmed the approval, stating that a total of 1,25,855 metric tonnes will be acquired under the Price Support Scheme, part of the broader Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan framework. The breakdown includes 29,860 metric tonnes of gram, 37,020 metric tonnes of urad, 55,285 metric tonnes of groundnut, and 3,690 metric tonnes of sunflower seeds. Procurement will occur directly from registered farmers who meet quality standards, with central agencies such as the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India and the National Cooperative Consumers' Federation of India handling the purchases to eliminate middlemen.

This initiative activates during peak harvest times when market prices fall below the...