New Delhi: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved a significant increase in the Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for all mandated Rabi crops for the Marketing Season 2025-26. This decision is aimed at ensuring remunerative prices for farmers and supporting crop diversification across the country.
The highest increase in MSP has been announced for Rapeseed & Mustard, with an increase of ₹300 per quintal, followed by Lentil (Masur) with ₹275 per quintal. Other key crops have also seen substantial hikes: Gram has increased by ₹210 per quintal, Wheat by ₹150 per quintal, Safflower by ₹140 per quintal, and Barley by ₹130 per quintal.
New MSP for Rabi Crops (2025-26 Marketing Season)
| Crop | MSP (₹/quintal) | Increase (₹/quintal) |
|---|---|---|
| Wheat | 2425 | 150 |
| Barley | 1980 | 130 |
| Gram | 5650 | 210 |
| Lentil (Masur) | 6700 | 275 |
| Rapeseed & Mustard | 5950 | 300 |
| Safflower | 5940 | 140 |
The government’s decision is aligned with the Union Budget 2018-19 announcement, which mandated MSPs to be at least 1.5 times the all-India weighted average cost of production. This ensures farmers receive fair prices, considering costs such as labor, seeds, fertilizers, irrigation, and machinery. The new MSP margins range from 50% to 105% above the cost of production, with wheat offering the highest margin of 105%.
The increase in MSP aims to protect farmers from price fluctuations while encouraging crop diversification. The new rates will particularly benefit farmers of Rapeseed & Mustard and Lentil, which have seen the highest absolute increases, thus incentivizing the cultivation of these crops.
This policy move, expected to bolster farmer incomes and ensure food security, is part of the government’s larger effort to uplift the agricultural sector and promote sustainable farming practices across the country.