hamburger

PM AASHA: Schemes, Full Form, PM AASHA UPSC

By BYJU'S Exam Prep

Updated on: November 14th, 2023

PM AASHA full form is Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay SanraksHan Abhiyan is a scheme that ensures a fair price for farmers and their produce. PM AASHA scheme guarantees a Minimum Support Price to the farmers. PM AASHA aims to strengthen the procurement process, which will improve the income of the farmers to a large extent. In this post, we will be discussing the components, challenges, solutions, and other related facts for PM AASHA yojana.

PM AASHA encompasses multiple components each designed to provide comprehensive support to farmers. This article explores the importance of PM AASHA, its impact on farmers’ livelihoods, and the broader implications for agricultural development in India.

What is PM AASHA Yojana?

PM AASHA Scheme or Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay SanraksHan Abhiyan is a recently launched government scheme that guarantees remunerative prices to the farmers for their produce. PM AASHA was announced in September 2018 as an effort to guarantee a Minimum support price (MSP) to the farmers for their crops each year. Additionally, it will protect farmers’ income which would go a long way toward the welfare of farmers.

PM AASHA UPSC Notes

In the Union Budget 2018, the Government had a vision of doubling the farmers’ income by 2022. To achieve this the government put an emphasis on enhancing productivity, reducing the cost of cultivation, and strengthening post-harvesting management. PM AASHA’s scheme was such an initiative that must be implemented properly.

Components of PM AASHA Scheme

The Components of Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan hold significant importance in the context of agricultural development and the welfare of farmers in India: The components of the PM AASHA scheme are as follows:

Price Support Scheme (PSS)

  • With this Price Support Scheme, procurement of oilseeds and pulses will be carried out by the Central Nodal Agencies with state government support.
  • The price Support Scheme will be set up by the Food Corporation of India along with NAFED, and any expenses incurred will be borne by the Central Government of India.

Price Deficiency Payment Scheme (PDPS)

  • In PDPS, all the oilseed notified for SP will be covered.
  • The direct payment of the difference between MSP and the selling process will be made to pre-registered farmers selling their produce in the notified market yard through a transparent auction process.
  • All the payments will be made to the registered bank accounts of the farmers.
  • The aim of this scheme is to provide compensation to the farmers for their agricultural products when their price falls below the MSP or Minimum Support Price.

The Pilot of Private Procurement & Stockist Scheme (PPPS)

  • As per the Pilot of Private Procurement & Stockist Scheme (PPPS), the private sector will take part in this procurement operation.
  • The state will have the option to conduct the scheme on a pilot basis in selected APMCs with private sector involvement.

Significance of PM AASHA

PM-AASHA is an initiative of utmost importance in the context of India’s agricultural sector. The importance of the PM AASHA Scheme is as follows:

  • The scheme tries to strengthen the physical procurement of oilseeds, pulses, and copra
  • The PM AASHA was introduced to plug the holes in the procurement system
  • PM AASHA will address the gaps in the Minimum Support Price
  • When the markets have failed to pull out farmers from perpetual indebtedness, PM, Aasha Scheme comes to the rescue.
  • The PM AASHA Scheme may be the beginning of new market architecture

Challenges in PM AASHA Scheme

Just like any government scheme, some challenges can be seen in PM AASHA Yojana as well.

  • NITI Aayog in its 2016 evaluation report, mentioned that the procurement infrastructure in India is inadequate. However, PM AASHA doesn’t strengthen the procurement infrastructure of India.
  • The lack of an efficient distribution system is another crucial concern of PM AASHAn Yojana. For example, NAFED has 4 million tonnes of stock of oil seeds and pulses because of the previous 2 years’ procurement. But still, there is no existence of a distribution policy.
  • Price manipulation by the traders is another major concern of this PM AASHA scheme. Rural traders have a political setup and can manipulate the prices.
  • NAFED incurred losses since 2012 due to depressed prices in the open market and amounting to about Rs. 1,083 crores. The financial condition of NAFED is also a concern over the proper implementation of the Price Support Scheme.
  • The quantity of produce procured by the designated state agencies was limited.

PM AASHA Scheme – Way Forward

A proper implementation would be the key to the success of the PM AASHA Scheme. The government must make sure hassle-free registration of farmers.

  • The target area of PM AASHA Yojana must be the marginal farmers to improve their economic condition.
  • The government needs to keep a check on price manipulation by traders.
  • Importance must be given to enhancing the procurement of infrastructural facilities.
  • Better godown and storage facilities should be constructed to reduce wastage.
  • The procurement centers must be in the village itself to save transportation costs.

PM AASHA UPSC

The Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM AASHA) is a crucial government scheme that addresses critical aspects of India’s agricultural sector. As an important government scheme, this topic would be crucial in the Civil Services Exam and must be covered comprehensively during UPSC exam preparation.

Furthermore, it invites discussions on the agricultural sector, rural development, and the complexities involved in achieving a sustainable and equitable agricultural system. That’s why aspirants must be well-prepared to answer the possible IAS questions related to this topic.

PM AASHA UPSC Questions

Question: PM AASHA is a government scheme launched for the welfare of which sector in India? a) Agricultural laborers b) Small-scale industries c) Farmers d) Unemployed youth

Answer: c) Farmers

Question: Under PM AASHA, the Minimum Support Price (MSP) is declared by which authority? a) Ministry of Finance b) Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare c) Ministry of Rural Development d) Ministry of Food Processing Industries

Answer: b) Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare

Question: Which component of PM AASHA aims to provide a financial assistance scheme to farmers in case of a price decline? a) Price Support Scheme (PSS) b) Price Deficiency Payment Scheme (PDPS) c) Private Procurement and Stockist Scheme (PPSS) d) All of the above

Answer: b) Price Deficiency Payment Scheme (PDPS)

UPSC Notes
Cabinet Committees  Delhi Durbar 1911
Aditya L1 Mission National Hydrogen Mission
Israel Palestine Conflict  Insolvency And Bankruptcy Code 
OECD  Polar Vortex 
Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana National Infrastructure Pipeline
Sagarmala Project Stockholm Convention 
Our Apps Playstore
POPULAR EXAMS
SSC and Bank
Other Exams
GradeStack Learning Pvt. Ltd.Windsor IT Park, Tower - A, 2nd Floor, Sector 125, Noida, Uttar Pradesh 201303 help@byjusexamprep.com
Home Practice Test Series Premium