MSP approved for Rabi Crops

The Union Cabinet has recently approved new Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for Rabi crops for the 2025-26 marketing season. This decision comes amid ongoing discussions about agricultural support and food security in India, especially as the country prepares for the upcoming crop cycle. The increase in MSP is aimed at providing better financial support to farmers, ensuring they receive fair prices for their produce, and encouraging the cultivation of essential crops.

Key Highlights

• Wheat MSP Increase: The MSP for wheat has been raised by Rs 150 per quintal, from Rs 2,275 to Rs 2,425.
  • This increase is expected to benefit farmers, particularly in northern India, where wheat is a staple crop.
• Mustard MSP Increase: The MSP for mustard has been increased by Rs 300, bringing it from Rs 5,650 to Rs 5,950 per quintal.
  • Mustard is a significant oilseed crop, and the higher MSP aims to boost cultivation and ensure better returns for farmers, especially in states like Rajasthan, Haryana, and Madhya Pradesh.
• Chana MSP Increase: The MSP for chana (a key pulse crop) has been raised by Rs 210, setting the new rate at Rs 5,650 per quintal.
  • This increase aims to promote chana production, which is vital for protein intake in the Indian diet, benefiting farmers in states like Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.

About Minimum Support Prices (MSP)

• MSP is a government-set price at which it purchases certain crops from farmers, ensuring them a minimum profit for their harvest.
• The MSP aims to safeguard farmers against price fluctuations in the market and encourage them to cultivate certain crops deemed essential for food security.
• Crops under MSP: CACP recommends MSPs of 23 commodities, which comprise
• 7 cereals (paddy, wheat, maize, sorghum, pearl millet, barley and ragi)
• 5 pulses (gram, tur, moong, urad, lentil)
• 7 oilseeds (groundnut, rapeseed-mustard, soyabean, seasmum, sunflower, safflower, nigerseed)
• 4 commercial crops (copra, sugarcane, cotton and raw jute)
• Types of Crops: India's agriculture is broadly divided into two seasons: Kharif and Rabi.
• Kharif Crops: These are sown in the monsoon season (June to September) and harvested in autumn. Examples include paddy, ragi, bajra, jowar, maize, and cotton.
• Rabi Crops: These are sown in winter (October to March) and harvested in spring. Examples include wheat, barley, gram, and mustard.