The federation has begun its supplies of pulses and oilseeds in various States and Union Territories during a nationwide lockdown amid the pandemic

The National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED), Government of India, has begun dispatching the supply of one kg pulses under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojna (PMGKY) to states and union territories like Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Assam, Chandigarh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Goa, Karnataka, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh and Andaman & Nicobar Islands, during the lockdown amid Coronavirus pandemic.

Under the Yojna, NAFED aims to supply 1,95,510 MT of processed or upgraded pulses to the states to cover around 19,55,51,000 households in the 36 states and union territories. There are pulses like Arhar, Masoor, Malka, Chana dal, Chana whole and Urad for the beneficiaries. It is expected that by the end of the April, it will supply the required quantity for the month.

Except Chana whole, all the dals being supplied require processing. NAFED procures the whole raw pulses with FAQ specification from the farmers at Minimum Support Price (MSP) announced by the government in the producing states. Therefore, the millers are being hired by the federation through a transparent selection process to mill and deliver the processed pulses at different delivery centres of the states, confirming to FSSAI grade.

Despite the lockdown, the federation is making strenuous efforts to supply the pulses in the minimum period for this month and ensure supplies for May and June on time.

In addition, the federation is already continuing to procure pulses and oilseeds at MSP from the farmers in the states of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh. It is likely to also undertake procurement in Rajasthan, Haryana and Madhya Pradesh soon.

The Federation is gearing to make intervention for purchase of vegetables and fruits from cooperatives and FPOs to minimise the losses to the farmers to some extent. It is seen that the presence of NAFED in the Mandis provides essential support to the markets. The update on the progress of supplies under the Yojna is being regularly tracked.