Rabi Marketing Season 2025–26: Government Procures 310 LMT, Pays ₹79,267 Crore to Farmers at MSP

18 December 2025, New Delhi: The Union Government has announced the cost of production and Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for six major rabi crops for the Rabi Marketing Season (RMS) 2026–27, reaffirming its commitment to ensuring remunerative prices for farmers. The revised MSPs continue to offer substantial returns over the cost of cultivation, particularly for wheat, pulses and oilseeds.

For RMS 2026–27, wheat has been fixed at an MSP of ₹2,585 per quintal against a cost of ₹1,239, providing a return of 109 per cent over cost. Barley has an MSP of ₹2,150 per quintal with a 58 per cent return. Gram is priced at ₹5,875 per quintal, offering a 59 per cent return, while masur (lentil) carries an MSP of ₹7,000 per quintal, translating into an 89 per cent return over cost. Rapeseed and mustard have been fixed at ₹6,200 per quintal with a 93 per cent return, and safflower at ₹6,540 per quintal, giving a 50 per cent return.

The government continues to procure agricultural produce through designated agencies at MSP, while farmers are free to sell either to government agencies or in the open market, depending on what is more beneficial to them. The impact of higher MSPs is reflected in procurement data and the amount paid directly to farmers.

During RMS 2025–26, total procurement of the six rabi crops stood at 310 lakh metric tonnes (LMT), with an MSP value of ₹79,267 crore paid to farmers.

This information was shared by the Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Ramnath Thakur, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.

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