By A Correspondent
Patna: Bihar Agriculture Minister, Ram Kripal Yadav, has announced what he described as “major good news” for the state’s farmers, with the Government of India approving the procurement of 32,000 metric tonnes of lentils (masoor) from Bihar under the Price Support Scheme (PSS) for the Rabi 2026 season.
The approval, granted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, marks a significant development for the state. Until now, procurement at the Minimum Support Price (MSP) in Bihar had largely been limited to paddy and wheat. The inclusion of pulses is being seen as a major achievement for farmers.
Mr Yadav said the decision would play a crucial role in enhancing farmers’ income and encouraging the cultivation of pulses. Under the scheme, lentils will be procured at MSP, and payments will be transferred directly into farmers’ bank accounts.
Expressing gratitude, the minister thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the decision, stating that under his leadership, consistent steps are being taken to strengthen the agricultural sector and improve farmers’ earnings. He also acknowledged the support of Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, noting that his cooperation would help ensure the scheme’s benefits reach Bihar’s farmers and promote pulse production.
Mr Yadav further said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, the Bihar Government continues to work in the interest of farmers. He assured that adequate arrangements would be made for procurement centres, farmer registration, storage, and timely payments.
He outlined the key features of the scheme:
- Procurement of Masoor will begin on dates notified by the state government
- The procurement period will last for 60 days
- Payments will be made within three days
- The entire process will be transparent and Aadhaar-based
The minister added that the decision would ensure fair prices for lentil growers in Bihar, leading to increased income and a boost to pulse production. He urged farmers to register in large numbers and take full advantage of the scheme.
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