Redgram procurement under MSP mechanism gains momentum in Andhra Pradesh

Redgram cultivation and procurement during the Kharif-2025 season present a mixed, but promising picture across Andhra Pradesh, with a sharp rise in cultivated area, gradual harvesting progress, and steady rise in momentum in Minimum Support Price (MSP) procurement operations.

According to information, the procurement of redgram under the MSP mechanism gathered pace across several districts, with over 1,286 MT procured as of January 12, 2026.

Nandyal recorded the highest procurement (608.2 MT), benefiting around 5,800 farmers through 45 procurement centres. Anantapur followed closely with 597.9 MT procured from 13,389 registered farmers, with operations handled by the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd (NAFED) through 31 centres. Kurnool reported procurement of 57.55 MT, while Sri Sathya Sai district recorded 23.15 MT.

Though the districts such as Palnadu, Prakasam, YSR Kadapa, Bapatla, NTR, and SPSR Nellore had been allotted quantities and procurement infrastructure, arrivals in some of the regions were yet to pick up.

In Nellore, arrivals were reportedly scheduled to begin only from March 2026. Overall, 210 procurement centres had been opened across the State to facilitate smooth operations.

Agriculture Director Manazir Jeelani Samoon said that to support procurement, over 23.29 lakh gunnysacks had been arranged to ensure uninterrupted purchases from the farmers.

Under the MSP operations, a total tentative allotment of 1,16,466 MT had been made for the State, with procurement activities being carried out through agencies such as National Cooperative Consumers’ Federation of India Ltd. (NCCF) and NAFED.  So far, 29,627 farmers had registered for MSP procurement, reflecting significant participation from pulse growers, he said.

Close monitoring was underway to align harvesting schedules and procurement operations with the expanded cultivation. With a substantial rise in acreage, it was expected that higher market arrivals in the coming months would reassure farmers that arrangements under the MSP mechanism would be strengthened to ensure remunerative prices and smooth procurement during the kharif marketing season, Agriculture Department officials said.

Official data indicates that while harvesting has commenced in most districts, a significant portion of the sown area is yet to be harvested.

In the North Andhra districts, Srikakulam has harvested only 2 hectares out of 22 hectares sown, accounting for approximately 9% of the area. Vizianagaram has completed harvesting of 11 hectares, matching its sown area, while Parvathipuram-Manyam has harvested 20 hectares out of a substantial 1,018 hectares, leaving nearly 998 hectares still to be harvested. In Alluri Sitharama Raju district, harvesting has covered 75 hectares out of 230 hectares, translating to around 36% completion.

Against a normal area of approximately 2.58 lakh hectares, farmers have sown redgram in over 4.08 lakh hectares across the State, indicating a strong preference for the pulse crop among farmers during the season.