Raipur, April 28, 2026: Under the Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA), gram (chickpea) procurement in Chhattisgarh is now advancing toward its final and decisive phase; consequently, the hustle and bustle of farmers at the procurement centers has intensified even further.
The Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan is a flagship government scheme launched in 2018. Its objective is to ensure a remunerative Minimum Support Price (MSP) for the produce of farmers cultivating pulses and oilseeds. This scheme safeguards farmers’ income by mitigating price volatility.
Under the Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan, the gram procurement process in Chhattisgarh’s Dhamtari district is now moving toward its final and decisive stage.
In Dhamtari, which has established itself as the state’s leading gram-producing district, the activity and footfall of farmers at the procurement centers have witnessed a significant surge.
The ‘Dhamtari Model’ Becomes a Topic of Discussion
Following the impressive achievement of procuring 76,000 quintals in Dhamtari district, the Agriculture Department is now operating in ‘mission mode’ to fulfill the remaining target of 24,000 quintals.
State-level agriculture officials believe that the system of registration and expedited payments adopted by Dhamtari district has emerged as a source of inspiration for other districts as well. In view of the growing crowds at the district’s 11 procurement centers, the district administration remains fully proactive, officials said today.
The Collector has increased the deployment of nodal officers at the procurement centers to ensure that the entire process, from weighing the produce to processing payments, remains free of any bottlenecks.
Additionally, instructions have been issued to the concerned officials to expedite transportation logistics. Additional transport arrangements have been made to ferry the procured produce to warehouses as quickly as possible, thereby ensuring that farmers at the centers do not have to endure long waits for their turn.
Officials have been strictly instructed to ensure that no farmer who arrives with their produce is compelled to return disappointed.
A Sense of Satisfaction Among Farmers
Farmers present at the procurement centers state that receiving prompt payments at the Minimum Support Price (MSP) is proving to be immensely helpful in managing their post-Rabi harvest expenses.
Thanks to this timely financial support, farmers are increasingly shifting their focus toward the cultivation of pulses compared to other crops. This scheme not only ensures fair prices for farmers but also helps regulate the prices of essential commodities for consumers.
The district administration has made it clear that all available resources will be mobilized over the coming days to achieve the remaining procurement targets.
At the administrative level, farmers have been advised to maintain regular contact with the nodal officers at their respective procurement centers to ensure that the procurement process is conducted smoothly.
