Pradhan Mantri Anndata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA) Scheme Approved by Cabinet to Protect Farmers’ Income

New Delhi, Sep 12: In a bid to protect and augment farmers' income, the Union Cabinet on Wednesday launched a new umbrella scheme named 'Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan' (PM-AASHA). While addressing a press meet, Union Agriculture  Minister Radha Mohan Singh said that the new PM-AASHA scheme is an unprecedented step towards Doubling Farmers' Income.

The latest move is believed to be a major boost to the pro-farmers initiative of the Government. The newly launched PM-AASHA is a major pro-farmer initiative by the government. It aims at augmenting farmers' income through a three-pronged approach- The Scheme has three most important aspects- Price Support Scheme (PSS), Price Deficiency Payment Scheme (PDPS) and Pilot of Private Procurement and Stocklist Scheme (PDPS).

Under this scheme, the physical procurement of pulses, oilseeds and copra will be done by Central Nodal Agencies along with state governments. The Central government will bear the procurement expenditure and losses due to procurement up to 25% of the production.

The Price Deficiency Payment Scheme (PDPD) will cover all oilseeds for which MSP is notified. Farmers will get the direct payment of the difference between the MSP and the selling price. Meanwhile, the Pilot of Private Procurement and Stocklist Scheme (PDPS) will involve the participation of private sectors in procurement operation to be piloted. For oilseeds, states have the option to roll out the scheme on a pilot basis in selected districts.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 12, 2018 04:25 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).