State Government Clears Large-Scale Tur Procurement Plan

The Maharashtra government has approved the procurement of 3.37 lakh metric tonnes of tur (pigeon pea) at a total cost of ₹2,696 crore, marking a significant intervention aimed at protecting farmers from falling market prices and ensuring fair remuneration for their produce. The decision is expected to provide relief to tur growers across key pulse-producing districts of the state, where arrivals have increased sharply following the harvest season.

Officials said the procurement will be carried out under the Minimum Support Price mechanism to prevent distress sales and stabilise prices in the open market. Tur is one of the most important pulse crops in Maharashtra, and the state remains among the top producers of the crop in India.

Procurement at MSP to Safeguard Farmer Interests

According to government officials, the procurement will be undertaken at the Minimum Support Price declared by the central government for the current marketing season. The MSP for tur has been fixed at ₹7,550 per quintal, and the approved procurement volume of 3.37 lakh metric tonnes translates to a total financial outlay of ₹2,696 crore.

The move comes amid concerns that market prices in several mandis had slipped below the MSP due to increased arrivals and limited private buying. By stepping in with large-scale procurement, the state aims to ensure that farmers receive assured prices and are not forced to sell their produce at a loss.

Officials stated that the procurement decision was taken after reviewing ground-level reports from agricultural departments and district administrations, which indicated mounting pressure on tur prices in major producing belts.

Key Producing Regions to Benefit

The procurement drive is expected to benefit farmers in tur-growing regions such as Marathwada, Vidarbha and parts of Western Maharashtra. Districts including Latur, Beed, Osmanabad, Nanded, Yavatmal and Amravati account for a substantial share of the state’s tur production and have witnessed significant arrivals this season.

Agriculture officials noted that procurement centres will be set up in major mandis to facilitate smooth purchase operations. Farmers will be required to register themselves and bring their produce to designated centres, where quality checks will be conducted before procurement.

The government has also directed agencies involved in procurement to ensure timely payments to farmers, with the aim of crediting the amount directly to their bank accounts within a stipulated period.

Financial Implications and Budgetary Planning

The ₹2,696 crore procurement plan represents a substantial fiscal commitment by the Maharashtra government. Officials indicated that the expenditure has been approved after assessing budgetary provisions and the availability of funds under agricultural support schemes.

The procurement is expected to be executed through designated state agencies and cooperatives, working in coordination with central agencies involved in pulse procurement. The government has emphasised the need for efficient storage and logistics management to handle the large volume of tur being procured.

Warehousing capacity, transport arrangements and timely lifting of stock will be critical to avoid spoilage and additional costs, officials added.

Addressing Market Volatility in Pulses

Tur prices are known to be volatile due to factors such as fluctuating production, changes in domestic demand, and international market dynamics. In recent years, farmers have often faced uncertainty as prices dipped below MSP during peak arrival periods.

By approving a sizeable procurement quantity, the state government aims to send a strong signal to the market and curb excessive price declines. Agriculture experts say such interventions help create a price floor and discourage speculative trading that can hurt farmer incomes.

Officials also pointed out that maintaining adequate buffer stocks of pulses is important for food security and price stability, particularly given the role of tur as a staple protein source in Indian diets.

Farmer Bodies Welcome the Decision

Farmer organisations and cooperative leaders have welcomed the procurement approval, describing it as a timely step to support growers. Representatives of farmer groups said that many tur cultivators were worried about declining prices and rising input costs, including seeds, fertilisers and labour.

They noted that assured procurement at MSP would help farmers recover production costs and reduce dependence on private traders, who often offer lower prices during periods of surplus supply.

However, farmer leaders also stressed the importance of transparent procurement processes, adequate procurement centres and quick payment mechanisms to ensure that the benefits reach farmers without delays.

Operational Challenges and Government Preparedness

While the procurement decision has been broadly welcomed, officials acknowledged that implementing such a large-scale operation poses logistical challenges. Ensuring quality standards, preventing overcrowding at procurement centres and managing storage capacity will require close coordination among multiple departments.

The government has instructed district collectors and agriculture officers to closely monitor procurement operations and resolve issues faced by farmers at the local level. Special emphasis has been placed on preventing irregularities and ensuring that only eligible farmers benefit from the scheme.

Digital registration systems and real-time monitoring are expected to play a key role in streamlining the procurement process.

Role of Pulses in Maharashtra’s Agricultural Economy

Tur occupies a significant place in Maharashtra’s agricultural landscape, both in terms of acreage and farmer livelihoods. The crop is primarily rain-fed and is cultivated by small and marginal farmers, making price support mechanisms especially crucial.

Maharashtra contributes a substantial share to India’s total tur production, and fluctuations in the state’s output often have a direct impact on national prices. As a result, procurement decisions taken by the state government can influence broader market trends.

Officials said the current procurement plan aligns with the state’s broader strategy to promote pulse cultivation, enhance farmer incomes and reduce import dependence.

Looking Ahead: Strengthening Price Support Systems

The approval of tur procurement worth ₹2,696 crore highlights the government’s continued reliance on MSP-backed interventions to support farmers during periods of market stress. Policymakers are also exploring long-term measures such as improving storage infrastructure, encouraging value addition and promoting crop diversification to reduce overdependence on procurement.

Agriculture department officials stated that lessons learned from this procurement exercise would help improve future operations and ensure better coordination between state and central agencies.

As procurement begins across mandis, the focus will remain on smooth implementation, timely payments and effective market stabilisation, with the aim of safeguarding farmer interests while maintaining fiscal discipline.

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