Why in news?
On 20 February 2026, the Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, chaired a review meeting on the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED). The meeting focused on improving procurement arrangements for pulses and oilseeds under the Minimum Support Price (MSP) regime, with an eye on achieving self‑reliance in pulses and making procurement more transparent and farmer‑friendly.
Background
NAFED is an apex cooperative body established on 2 October 1958 to organise marketing and processing of agricultural and forest produce across India. Registered under the Multi State Co‑operative Societies Act, it operates under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare. Over the decades, NAFED has helped farmers market their produce and provides essential inputs like seeds and machinery. It also undertakes import and export operations to stabilise prices and ensure availability.
Objectives and functions of NAFED
- Market linkage: NAFED organises marketing, storage and processing of agricultural, horticultural and forest produce so that farmers get a fair price without middlemen.
- Price support: It operates procurement schemes such as the Price Support Scheme (PSS) and the Price Stabilisation Fund (PSF), buying crops like pulses and oilseeds at MSP when market prices fall.
- Inputs and technology: The federation distributes seeds, fertilisers and machinery, and offers technical advice to improve farm productivity.
- Trade facilitation: NAFED handles inter‑state and international trade of agricultural commodities, helping to balance supply and demand.
- Support to cooperatives: It assists member cooperatives in marketing, processing and supply functions, strengthening the cooperative movement.
Recent initiatives highlighted in the meeting
- Strengthening MSP procurement: The Minister directed officials to equip procurement centres with adequate infrastructure and ensure timely payments so that farmers are not inconvenienced.
- Self‑Reliance in Pulses Mission: A six‑year mission aims to boost domestic production of pulses such as tur (arhar), urad and masoor. Measures include promoting improved agronomic practices, ensuring quality seeds, providing technical support and expanding procurement.
- Reducing middlemen: Officials were asked to link farmers directly with government procurement systems to minimise dependence on intermediaries.
- Coordination with states: Better coordination with state governments is planned to make procurement more uniform and to address field‑level issues quickly.
Significance
- Ensuring fair prices: Robust MSP procurement helps shield farmers from price fluctuations and encourages them to cultivate pulses and oilseeds.
- Nutritional security: Pulses are a major source of protein; increasing their production reduces import dependence and contributes to dietary security.
- Atmanirbhar Bharat: Achieving self‑sufficiency in pulses supports the broader goal of reducing imports and strengthening India’s agricultural sector.
Source: Press Information Bureau
