In a major relief for millions of farmers across the country, the Union Cabinet has approved an increase in the Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for 14 Kharif crops for the 2025-26 marketing season. The decision was taken in a high-level Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. The move aims to ensure fair and remunerative prices for farmers and improve their income levels.
Among the crops, Nigerseed received the highest hike in MSP — an increase of ₹820 per quintal over the previous season. It is followed by Ragi (₹596), Cotton (₹589) and Sesamum (₹579). Most of the crops have seen a margin of 50% or more over their cost of production. Bajra (63%), Maize (59%), Tur (59%) and Urad (53%) have the highest profit margins among all.
| Crop | MSP 2025-26 | Cost (₹) | Margin Over Cost (%) | Increase from 2024-25 |
| Paddy (Common) | 2369 | 1579 | 50% | ₹69 |
| Paddy (Grade A) | 2389 | - | - | ₹69 |
| Jowar (Hybrid) | 3699 | 2466 | 50% | ₹328 |
| Jowar (Maldandi) | 3749 | - | - | ₹328 |
| Bajra | 2775 | 1703 | 63% | ₹150 |
| Ragi | 4886 | 3257 | 50% | ₹596 |
| Maize | 2400 | 1508 | 59% | ₹175 |
| Tur (Arhar) | 8000 | 5038 | 59% | ₹450 |
| Moong | 8768 | 5845 | 50% | ₹86 |
| Urad | 7800 | 5114 | 53% | 53% |
| Groundnut | 7263 | 4842 | 50% | ₹480 |
| Sunflower Seed | 7721 | 5147 | 50% | ₹441 |
| Soybean (Yellow) | 5328 | 3552 | 50% | ₹436 |
| Sesamum | 9846 | 6564 | 50% | ₹579 |
| Nigerseed | 9537 | 6358 | 50% | ₹820 |
| Cotton (Medium Staple) | 7710 | 5140 | 50% | ₹589 |
| Cotton (Long Staple) | 8110 | - | - | ₹589 |
Sharp Raise in Procurement and MSP Payments Since 2014
According to government data:
From 2014-15 to 2024-25, procurement of paddy stood at 7608 LMT (lakh metric tonnes) compared to 4590 LMT between 2004-05 to 2013-14.
Procurement of 14 Kharif crops increased to 7871 LMT during 2014-25, up from 4679 LMT in the previous decade.
MSP payments to paddy farmers during 2014-25 amounted to ₹14.16 lakh crore, significantly higher than ₹4.44 lakh crore during 2004-14.
Total MSP payments for all 14 Kharif crops stood at ₹16.35 lakh crore during 2014-25, up from ₹4.75 lakh crore in 2004-14.
Focus on Nutri-Cereals and Pulses
In recent years, the government has been actively promoting pulses, oilseeds, and Nutri-Cereals (Shree Anna) by offering higher MSP rates to encourage crop diversification and improve nutritional security. This move is expected to reduce dependency on a few cereal crops and ensure a more balanced agricultural ecosystem.
