16 October 2024, New Delhi: In a significant move to safeguard the interests of farmers, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved a substantial increase in the Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for Rabi crops for the marketing season 2025-26. This step comes as a part of the government’s continued commitment to providing remunerative prices to farmers, especially in light of rising input costs.
Key Crops See Significant Hike
The 2025-26 marketing season has witnessed an absolute increase in MSP across all mandated Rabi crops. Rapeseed and mustard farmers are the biggest beneficiaries, with an increase of ₹300 per quintal. Lentil (masur) follows closely, with an increase of ₹275 per quintal. The hike in MSP for gram, wheat, safflower, and barley stands at ₹210 per quintal, ₹150 per quintal, ₹140 per quintal, and ₹130 per quintal respectively.
The government’s rationale behind the MSP hikes is to ensure that farmers receive a margin over the cost of production, making farming a profitable venture despite rising input costs such as labor, machinery, and seeds.
Breakdown of MSP Increases
Crop
MSP 2025-26 (₹/quintal)
Cost of Production (₹/quintal)
MSP 2024-25 (₹/quintal)
Increase in MSP (₹/quintal)
Margin Over Cost (%)
Wheat
2,425
1,182
2,275
150
105%
Barley
1,980
1,239
1,850
130
60%
Gram
5,650
3,527
5,440
210
60%
Lentil (Masur)
6,700
3,537
6,425
275
89%
Rapeseed & Mustard
5,950
3,011
5,650
300
98%
Safflower
5,940
3,960
5,800
140
50%
Wheat: Backbone of India’s Agriculture
Wheat, one of India’s most cultivated Rabi crops, has received a ₹150 per quintal increase, bringing the MSP for the 2025-26 season to ₹2,425 per quintal. This increase provides a 105% margin over the weighted average cost of production of ₹1,182 per quintal. The hike in wheat prices reflects the government’s efforts to secure fair compensation for farmers facing rising input costs due to inflation and changing climatic conditions.
Rapeseed and mustard farmers have gained the highest increase in MSP at ₹300 per quintal, taking the MSP to ₹5,950 per quintal. With the cost of production pegged at ₹3,011 per quintal, farmers are set to receive a robust margin of 98%. Lentil (masur) has also seen a major boost with an increase of ₹275 per quintal, making its MSP ₹6,700 per quintal, which is 89% over its cost of production.
Gram & Barley: Strong Incentives for Farmers
Gram, another important Rabi crop, has received an MSP hike of ₹210 per quintal, taking its price to ₹5,650 per quintal. Barley, with an increase of ₹130 per quintal, now has an MSP of ₹1,980 per quintal, providing a 60% margin over its cost of production.
Safflower: Incentive for Crop Diversification
With a smaller share of Rabi cultivation, safflower has still received a noteworthy increase of ₹140 per quintal, bringing the MSP to ₹5,940 per quintal. The 50% margin over its cost of production is an incentive for farmers to consider safflower as an option in their crop diversification strategies.
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