AP Govt begins bengal gram procurement for Rabi 2025-26

Metro India News | AMARAVATI 

In a major relief to Bengal gram (chickpea) farmers across Andhra Pradesh, the state government has announced the commencement of procurement operations for the 2025-26 Rabi season, aiming to ensure remunerative prices and protect farmers from market fluctuations.

Agriculture Minister Kinjarapu Atchannaidu on Wednesday said the procurement process has been launched statewide with immediate effect under the Central Government’s Price Support Scheme (PSS). The state plans to procure a total of 94,500 metric tonnes of Bengal gram, following approvals received from the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare.

The minister stated that the procurement will be carried out through central agencies such as NAFED (National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India) and NCCF (National Cooperative Consumers’ Federation of India), ensuring adherence to Minimum Support Price (MSP) norms. To streamline operations and maintain transparency, the procurement process will be monitored through the Chief Minister’s app across all districts. District-level monitoring committees headed by Joint Collectors have been constituted to supervise the procurement process and address operational issues in real time.

Atchannaidu said multiple departments, including Agriculture, Horticulture, Marketing, and AP Markfed are working in coordination to facilitate direct procurement at Rythu Seva Kendras, enabling farmers to sell their produce closer to their villages.

According to official estimates, Bengal gram has been cultivated across nearly 3.25 lakh hectares in the state during the current Rabi season, with an expected production of around 3.77 lakh metric tonnes. The minister urged farmers to register their produce at the nearest Rythu Seva Kendras to participate in the procurement programme. He assured that payments would be credited directly into farmers’ bank accounts within 15 days of procurement, with strict mechanisms put in place to avoid delays.

Reaffirming the government’s commitment to farmer welfare, Atchannaidu said the coalition government remains focused on ensuring fair prices, strengthening agricultural marketing systems, and safeguarding farmers from distress sales.