Overview The district-level Task Force Committee has approved the procurement of toor dal from farmers under the Minimum Support Price (MSP) scheme for the 2025–26 season, following orders issued by the State government. This initiative aims to support farmers by providing a guaranteed price for their produce. Key Developments Procurement Details MSP Rate: Toor dal will be procured at ₹8,000 per quintal . Procurement Limit: A ceiling of four quintals per acre is set, based on the cultivated area reflected in the FRUITS software . Alternative Procurement: If market prices exceed the MSP, the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED) will procure toor dal through e-auctions or open market purchases at rates higher than MSP for buffer stock purposes. Procurement Agencies and Centers State Procurement Agencies: The Karnataka State Pulses Development Board and the Karnataka State Cooperative Marketing Federation are designated as State procurement agencies for Kalaburagi district. Procurement Centers: Toor dal will be procured through 141 Primary Agricultural Credit Cooperative Societies (PACCS) and Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) across the district. Registration and Payment Registration and Procurement Process: Registration and procurement at purchase centers will be carried out using Point of Sale (PoS) machines, and Aadhaar-based biometric authentication will be mandatory. Registration Period: The registration of farmers under the MSP scheme will be open until March 6, 2026 . Procurement Period: Procurement of toor dal from registered farmers will continue until March 16, 2026 . Payment Method: Payment for the procured produce will be made directly to farmers’ bank accounts through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) portal. UPSC Relevance This news is relevant to GS3 (Economy, Agriculture) as it covers government policies related to agriculture, MSP, and procurement. It also touches upon the use of technology in agriculture and direct benefit transfers, which are important for improving efficiency and transparency. Key Concepts for UPSC Minimum Support Price (MSP): A form of government intervention to protect farmers from price fluctuations. Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT): A mechanism to transfer subsidies directly to beneficiaries, reducing leakages and improving efficiency. Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs): Collectives of farmers that enhance their bargaining power and access to markets. Important Facts The procurement price for toor dal is ₹8,000 per quintal . The procurement limit is four quintals per acre . Registration is open until March 6, 2026 . Procurement continues until March 16, 2026 . Payments are made through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) .