Prashnavachak news
The central government has announced an increase in the Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for Kharif crops for the 2025-26 marketing season, ensuring that farmers receive at least 50% returns over their cost of production. Bajra is expected to provide the highest margin at 63%, followed by maize and tur (59% each), and urad (53%). This hike aligns with the Union Budget 2018-19 commitment of setting MSPs at a minimum of 1.5 times the all-India weighted average cost of production.
In recent years, the government has shifted focus beyond traditional cereals like paddy, encouraging the cultivation of pulses, oilseeds, and nutri-cereals (Shree Anna) by offering comparatively higher MSPs for these crops. Between 2014-15 and 2024-25, paddy procurement stood at 7608 LMT (lakh metric tonnes), a significant rise from 4590 LMT during 2004-05 to 2013-14. Procurement of 14 major Kharif crops also saw a jump to 7871 LMT in the same period, compared to 4679 LMT in the previous decade. The financial benefits to farmers under MSP also saw a dramatic increase—₹14.16 lakh crore was paid to paddy farmers from 2014-25, up from ₹4.44 lakh crore in the earlier decade. Overall, ₹16.35 lakh crore was disbursed to farmers cultivating the 14 Kharif crops during 2014-25, compared to ₹4.75 lakh crore during 2004-14. This move is expected to not only boost farmers’ incomes but also promote crop diversification and strengthen the country’s nutritional security.
