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.
Mustard & Lentil: Maximum Gain
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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