PM AASHA Scheme Extended to Support Farmers Until 2025-26
The Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM AASHA) scheme has been extended by the Indian government to continue supporting farmers until the 2025-26 financial year. The scheme, launched in 2018, was initially designed to ensure that farmers receive a fair price for their produce. The government’s decision to extend the scheme is in response to the rising challenges faced by farmers, particularly with fluctuating market prices and inadequate support from private buyers.
Key Features of the PM AASHA Scheme
PM AASHA aims to stabilize farmers’ income by ensuring that they get a minimum support price (MSP) for their crops. Under this scheme, the government intervenes to buy crops when market prices fall below the MSP. The scheme’s extension will benefit a wider range of crops, helping farmers cope with price volatility in the agricultural sector.
Moreover, the scheme includes provisions for procurement of crops under three key sub-schemes: Price Support Scheme (PSS), Price Deficiency Payment Scheme (PDPS), and the Pilot of Private Procurement and Stockist Scheme (PPSS). The government has allocated significant funds to make sure that the MSP is effectively implemented across the country, especially for farmers in remote areas.
Government’s Efforts to Boost Agricultural Sector
The government’s extension of the PM AASHA scheme is part of a broader initiative to address the challenges in the agricultural sector. Along with the scheme’s extension, there have been several other reforms aimed at improving agricultural infrastructure, market access, and ensuring the welfare of farmers.
The ongoing reforms and increased budgetary support for agriculture underscore the government’s commitment to empowering farmers and ensuring that they continue to thrive despite market uncertainties.
Why This News is Important
Significance of the Extension
The extension of the PM AASHA scheme is crucial for maintaining stability in the agricultural sector. With unpredictable weather patterns, fluctuating crop yields, and market price variations, the extension ensures that farmers have a safety net against financial losses. The government’s intervention through the PM AASHA scheme will help protect them from distress sales, which are often triggered when crop prices dip below the MSP.
Impact on Farmers
The PM AASHA scheme’s extension offers a lifeline to millions of farmers across India. It not only safeguards their income but also ensures that the agricultural sector continues to grow sustainably. The scheme provides assurance to farmers that they will receive fair compensation for their hard work, which in turn promotes productivity and agricultural growth.
Historical Context: Background of the PM AASHA Scheme
Launch of PM AASHA
The PM AASHA scheme was launched in 2018 by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare to address the challenges faced by farmers, especially regarding fair pricing for their produce. The scheme aims to bridge the gap between the market price and the MSP for crops, which often leaves farmers vulnerable to exploitation. The scheme includes three sub-schemes to ensure MSP implementation, which have been further optimized through this extension.
Previous Reforms
Before the launch of PM AASHA, several state-led initiatives sought to ensure minimum prices for agricultural produce. However, many of these efforts failed due to inconsistent implementation and lack of a nationwide support mechanism. PM AASHA brought together multiple schemes under one umbrella, ensuring comprehensive support for the agricultural sector.
5 Key Takeaways from PM AASHA Scheme Extension
| Serial Number | Key Takeaway |
|---|---|
| 1 | The PM AASHA scheme has been extended until the 2025-26 financial year. |
| 2 | The scheme ensures that farmers receive MSP for their crops to protect them from market price fluctuations. |
| 3 | PM AASHA includes three sub-schemes: PSS, PDPS, and PPSS, to ensure MSP implementation. |
| 4 | The extension of the scheme is part of a broader effort to support the agricultural sector and improve farmers’ income. |
| 5 | The government has allocated increased funds for the effective implementation of the PM AASHA scheme. |
Important FAQs for Students from this News
What is the PM AASHA scheme?
PM AASHA is a government initiative to ensure fair prices for farmers by providing them with a minimum support price (MSP) for their crops.
What are the sub-schemes under PM AASHA?
The PM AASHA scheme includes three sub-schemes: Price Support Scheme (PSS), Price Deficiency Payment Scheme (PDPS), and the Pilot of Private Procurement and Stockist Scheme (PPSS).
How long has the PM AASHA scheme been extended?
The PM AASHA scheme has been extended until the 2025-26 financial year.
What is the significance of extending the PM AASHA scheme?
The extension of the scheme will provide continued support to farmers, ensuring they receive a fair price for their crops, even when market prices fluctuate.
What is the government’s role in the PM AASHA scheme?
The government intervenes to procure crops when market prices fall below the MSP, ensuring that farmers do not suffer financial losses.
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