UP to Procure Pulses, Oilseeds at MSP from April 2

Lucknow, Mar 31 (PTI) The Uttar Pradesh government will start the procurement of pulses, oilseeds and other crops of the 2026-27 rabi season at a Minimum Support Price (MSP) from April 2, state Agriculture Minister Surya Pratap Shahi said on Tuesday.

Addressing a press conference at the Lok Bhavan media centre, Shahi outlined the state's strategy to ensure remunerative prices to farmers through effective procurement arrangements.

He said that as per approval from the Centre, procurement of gram, lentil, mustard and tur (arhar) will be carried out from April 2 to June 30.

The MSP has been fixed at Rs 5,875 per quintal for gram (chana), Rs 7,000 for lentil (masoor), Rs 6,200 for mustard (sarson) and Rs 8,000 for tur (arhar), he added.

The minister said procurement targets have been set at 2.24 lakh metric tonnes for gram, 6.77 lakh metric tonnes for lentil, 5.30 lakh metric tonnes for mustard and 1.14 lakh metric tonnes for tur.

To ensure transparency, Aadhaar-enabled POS machines have been installed at all procurement centres, enabling direct benefit transfer (DBT) of payments into farmers' bank accounts after verification, he said.

More than 190 procurement centres are proposed to be set up this year, in addition to those operated by state-level agencies.


Highlighting achievements in the agriculture sector, Shahi said over Rs 5,700 crore was spent on various schemes by the department in the 2025-26 financial year, marking a record. He added that reforms in the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana helped the state save Rs 303 crore.

He further said that 11.25 lakh farmers were provided seeds at a 50 per cent subsidy, while 12.73 lakh farmers received 54,847 quintals of seeds free of cost under seed distribution schemes.

For the promotion of summer (zaid) crops, 31,950 quintals of seeds, including groundnut, urad and moong, have been made available.

The minister said adequate fertiliser stocks of 25.41 lakh metric tonnes are currently available in the state, ensuring that farmers do not face inconvenience.

Distribution is being carried out through POS machines to maintain transparency.

Shahi also announced that the "Bharat Ratna Chaudhary Charan Singh Seed Park" is being established, and the first instalment of Rs 50.84 crore has already been released with an aim to make the state self-reliant in seed production.

He said the government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, is continuously working to enhance farmers' income and strengthen the agriculture sector while ensuring the timely and transparent delivery of benefits.

Minister of State for Agriculture Baldev Singh Aulakh, Agriculture Director Pankaj Tripathi and other officials were also present at the press conference.