09 October 2024, New Delhi: As the Indian government gears up to release the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for the Rabi Marketing Season (RMS) 2025-26, farmers are anticipating a significant boost in the prices of key crops such as wheat, gram, mustard, and lentils. The expectations are driven by last year’s MSP hike and the government’s emphasis on ensuring food security while reducing reliance on imports.
According to data from the 2024-25 MSP declaration, wheat, a staple for millions of Indian farmers, saw a 7% increase, with prices rising from ₹2,125 to ₹2,275 per quintal. This upward trend is expected to continue as the government seeks to incentivize wheat cultivation, crucial for domestic consumption and buffer stocks. If the wheat MSP is increased at a similar level of 7% of last year, farmer can expect the wheat MSP to reach ₹2,434. Farmers were getting this rate during the start of Ukraine-Russia war which was majorly driven by low supply of wheat in the global supply chain where Indian farmers got benifitted.
Similarly, lentils (masur), which experienced a substantial 7% rise in MSP last year, going from ₹6,000 to ₹6,425 per quintal, could witness another hike in the upcoming season. Experts suggest that lentils, being a key protein source, will remain a priority for the government. Lentil is expcted to have about 2-3% increase in MSP as the declared MSP of last year is at a peak level when compared to margin over cost of production. Masoor MSP may reach ₹6,553 with an increase of 2% for the upcoming rabi marketing season.
Gram, another critical pulse crop, saw only a 2% increase last year, with the MSP moving from ₹5,335 to ₹5,440 per quintal. However, a stronger push is expected this year to maintain farmer interest and improve pulse availability, which is essential to meet the country’s nutritional demands.
For mustard—a vital oilseed that contributes to India’s edible oil production—the MSP saw a 4% increase in the previous season, rising from ₹5,450 to ₹5,650 per quintal. Given the government’s drive to promote oilseed cultivation and reduce edible oil imports, mustard farmers are likely to receive a similar or greater increase in the 2025-26 season.
In addition to the main crops, barley and safflower have also seen moderate increases in the past, with barley rising 7% and safflower 3%. Both crops, while not as prominent as wheat or mustard, play crucial roles in local economies, and slight adjustments in their MSP are expected.
Government’s Focus on Food Security and Import Reduction
The expected MSP hikes align with the government’s broader objectives of strengthening food security and reducing import dependency. By ensuring fair prices for farmers, the government hopes to maintain adequate production levels, particularly for wheat and pulses, which are vital to India’s food basket. Additionally, promoting the cultivation of oilseeds like mustard is crucial to reducing the nation’s import bill on edible oils.
Final Announcement Expected Soon
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) is expected to finalize and announce the new MSPs for RMS 2025-26 in the coming weeks. Farmers and industry experts alike are watching closely, as the new MSP rates will have a direct impact on cultivation decisions for the upcoming Rabi season.
For many farmers, a continued rise in MSP will provide much-needed relief amid rising input costs and volatile market conditions. However, the extent of the increase and its effectiveness in driving agricultural output remains to be seen.
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