What Happened

The Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA), the Government's primary price-support framework for ensuring remunerative prices for farmers, has received a budget allocation of ₹7,200 crore for 2026-27. This follows actual expenditure of ₹5437.99 crore in 2024-25 and ₹6,941.36 crore in 2025-26. Launched in September 2018, PM-AASHA strengthens Minimum Support Price (MSP) implementation, aiming to reduce distress sales among farmers while maintaining consumer price stability.

The scheme consolidates multiple price support mechanisms and utilizes digital reforms like Aadhaar-enabled authentication, e-NAM, e-Samriddhi, and e-Samyukti to improve transparency and procurement efficiency. Support from the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund and expanded procurement coverage have further reinforced the scheme's operations.

Key Facts

  • PM-AASHA budget allocation for 2026-27 is ₹7,200 crore.
  • Actual expenditure for PM-AASHA was ₹5437.99 crore in 2024-25 and ₹6,941.36 crore in 2025-26.
  • The scheme was launched in September 2018.
  • PM-AASHA consists of four key components: Price Support Scheme (PSS), Price Stabilization Fund (PSF), Price Deficiency Payment Scheme (PDPS), and Market Intervention Scheme (MIS).
  • Under PSS, procurement of pulses, oilseeds, and copra is initially allowed up to 25% of a State/UT's production from 2024-25, with Tur, Urad, and Masur permitted up to 100% of State production.
  • For 2026-27, paddy (common) MSP was ₹2,441 per quintal, soybean (yellow) MSP was ₹5,708 per quintal, and wheat MSP was ₹2,585 per quintal.

Why It Matters

The increased budget allocation reflects a sustained financial commitment to strengthen price assurance mechanisms for farmers. Enhanced financial support and expanded procurement coverage aim to ensure that the benefits of MSP reach farmers, including small and marginal farmers, across the country.

What To Watch

The continued implementation of digital reforms and expanded procurement efforts will be crucial for the effectiveness of the scheme. The focus on strengthening MSP-based price support interventions indicates a sustained emphasis on farmer income stability.