The time period for the purchase of pulses and oilseeds will be reduced from the next season
09-May-2025 05:35 PM
New Delhi. According to senior official sources, the Central Government has decided to implement a new rule for the purchase of pulses and oilseeds during the upcoming Kharif marketing season starting in October 2025.
Under this rule, pulses and oilseeds will be purchased only after verification through a point of sale (POS) machine using biometric authentication.
In simple terms, biometric identification machines will be installed at government procurement centres, and the identity of farmers will be verified through facial recognition or other biometric methods. Purchases will be made only after successful verification.
Additionally, the government has decided to reduce the time period for the purchase of pulses and oilseeds from 90 days to 60 days.
If required, this time limit can be extended by a maximum of 30 days, but in any case, procurement will not be allowed beyond 90 days.
For example, this year the 90-day time limit for the purchase of Tuvar in Andhra Pradesh ended on 22 April, but it was extended until 22 May on special request from the state government.
According to the Union Agriculture Secretary, it has been observed that during the last phase of the purchase period — from the 13th week onward — there is often a sudden spike in the volume of pulses and oilseeds purchased, whereas earlier the pace of procurement remains slow.
This irregular trend has raised concerns. A shorter time frame for procurement is expected to encourage farmers to sell their produce more promptly.
The Union Agriculture Minister also mentioned that the Central Government is considering amending the Seed Act of 1966 to curb the sale of fake or substandard seeds and to protect the interests of farmers. For this purpose, feedback will be sought from the states. A draft bill is currently being prepared by the Centre in this regard.
The sowing of Kharif crops will begin next month, and the "Vikasit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan" will be conducted from 29 May to 12 June.
As part of this campaign, about 2,000 teams will be deployed across districts to ensure that farmers receive timely and accurate information.