Madhya Pradesh has completed its 2026 summer moong procurement, securing a record 5.33 lakh tonnes. The campaign successfully utilized the government’s Price Support Scheme to ensure farmers received the minimum support price. This outcome follows an earlier increase in the procurement cap, though it highlights ongoing challenges in managing pulse supply chains amidst shifting national acreage.
Madhya Pradesh has set a new record by procuring 5.33 lakh tonnes of summer moong during the 2026 season. Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan confirmed the successful conclusion of the drive, noting that the state utilized a total sanctioned capacity of 5,39,072 tonnes. This effort allowed government agencies to absorb a significant portion of the local harvest directly from farmers, shielding them from potential market volatility.
The procurement was executed under the federal Price Support Scheme (PSS) by the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED) and the National Cooperative Consumers' Federation of India (NCCF). Farmers were guaranteed the minimum support price of ₹8,780 per quintal. This initiative was particularly crucial this year, as the state government had intervened in July 2026 to increase the procurement limit from 25% to 60% of estimated production following concerns and protests from farmer organizations.
While this state-specific initiative provided a price floor for local growers, the broader national outlook for pulses remains complex. As of late August 2026, total national moong acreage stands at 32.68 lakh hectares, which is lower than the 33.92 lakh hectares recorded during the same period last year. Regions such as Rajasthan, Karnataka, and Maharashtra are seeing varied outcomes due to inconsistent monsoon patterns, which have impacted both crop health and yield projections.
For the agricultural sector, the reliance on heavy government procurement brings distinct challenges. Managing the storage and logistics of large volumes, such as the 5.33 lakh tonnes procured in Madhya Pradesh, is essential to prevent stock spoilage and ensure effective distribution. Additionally, the government’s decision to raise procurement caps to 60% underscores the ongoing pressure to balance support for farmers with fiscal management. There is continued demand from various farming groups for even higher procurement limits, which remains a key area for potential future policy debates.
Looking ahead, stakeholders in the agricultural sector will monitor the progress of the wider kharif harvest. The effective handling of the current stock and the government’s approach to future pulse production targets will be the primary factors determining the stability of pulse supplies and price trends in the coming months.