New Delhi, May 13
The Centre government has approved higher minimum support prices (MSP) for 14 kharif crops for the 2026-27 marketing season, with larger increases for pulses, oilseeds and cotton aimed at encouraging crop diversification and reducing import dependence. The decision was taken by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, ahead of the kharif sowing season which begins with the southwest monsoon in June.
The MSP for paddy, the country’s main kharif crop, was increased by Rs 72 to Rs 2,441 per quintal. The government announced sharper rises for other crops, including sunflower seed, cotton, nigerseed and sesamum. Sunflower seed saw the highest increase of Rs 622 per quintal, followed by cotton at Rs 557.Officials said the revised MSPs were intended to provide farmers with “remunerative prices” while also promoting the cultivation of pulses, oilseeds and millets over cereals.
The government said the increases were in line with its 2018 policy of fixing MSPs at least 1.5 times the average cost of production. According to official estimates, farmers are expected to receive the highest margins over production costs for moong at 61%, followed by bajra and maize at 56%, and tur or arhar dal at 54%.
The government also highlighted a rise in procurement and payments under the MSP system in recent years. It said paddy procurement between 2014-15 and 2025-26 stood at 8,418 lakh metric tonnes, compared with 4,590 lakh metric tonnes during 2004-05 to 2013-14.
During the same period, MSP payments to paddy farmers rose to Rs 16.08 lakh crore, compared with Rs 4.44 lakh crore in the previous decade.
