PM-AASHA (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Govt Scheme)
Context: Recently, ahead of the general elections, the government has planned to consolidate marquee schemes under the Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA), allocating ₹28,107 crore until 2025-26 to safeguard the interests of farmers and consumers.
- The plan is to merge the Price Stabilisation Fund (PSF) with the Price Support Scheme (PSS), and bring the merged scheme under the PM-AASHA, along with the market intervention scheme (MIS).
Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA)
- About: PM-AASHA is an umbrella scheme aimed at ensuring remunerative prices to the farmers for their produce.
- Launched: In September 2018
- Objective: To give reasonable prices and keep farmers and harvest/produce in mind.
- Nodal Ministry: Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
- Components: Price Support Scheme (PSS), Price Deficiency Payment Scheme (PDPS), and Pilot of Private Procurement & Stockist Scheme (PPPS).
- Benefits of PM AASHA Scheme
oThe innovative PM-AASHA scheme provides a MSP-plus solution to address the issue of non-remunerative prices.
oIts three unique components aim to bridge gaps in crop procurement and compensation mechanisms.
oBy increasing farmer income, the scheme is poised to contribute to the revitalization of the rural economy.
oAdditionally, the PM-AASHA scheme can promote crop diversification and alleviate soil and water stress by enhancing oilseed prices.
