Union Minister Amit Shah directs NAFED and the National Cooperative Consumers’ Federation (NCCF) to procure pulses and oilseeds directly from farmers, bypassing middlemen. The order is intended to ensure farmers receive fairer prices and to streamline procurement so payments are made within 48 hours. Both outlets report that Shah sets a two-year deadline to operationalize this direct farmer-to-organization sales model.
The Times of India also adds that Shah highlights NAFED’s efforts to modernize procurement and trading, including a new digital auction platform, along with inventory management tools and a scholarship programme. While the stated objectives include improving incentives for pulse cultivation and supporting India’s self-reliance in these commodities, the core policy change reported across sources is the shift away from intermediary layers toward direct purchase by the two cooperatives and faster payment to farmers.
