The Union Cabinet on Wednesday, October 1, approved a hike in the minimum support prices (MSPs) of six rabi crops for the 2026–27 marketing season, with wheat, the most significant winter crop, receiving a 6.59% increase to ₹2,585 per quintal, up from ₹2,425 last year. The decision was taken at a meeting of the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Announcing the move, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the hikes were based on the recommendations of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP).
In absolute terms, the highest increase has been given to safflower, up ₹600 per quintal to ₹6,540, followed by lentil (masoor) at ₹7,000 per quintal, a rise of ₹300.
The MSP for rapeseed and mustard has been raised by ₹250 to ₹6,200, while gram (chana) has been hiked by ₹225 to ₹5,875.
For barley, the MSP has been fixed at ₹2,150, up ₹170 from last year.
| Crop | MSP (2025-26) | MSP (2024-25) | Absolute increase in MSP | Change (%) |
| Wheat | 2,585 | 2,425 | 160 | 6.60% |
| Barley | 2,150 | 1,980 | 170 | 8.60% |
| Chana | 5,875 | 5,650 | 225 | 4% |
| Masur | 7,000 | 6,700 | 300 | 4.50% |
| Mustard | 6,200 | 5,950 | 250 | 4.20% |
| Safflower | 6,540 | 5,940 | 600 | 10% |
The hikes are aimed at ensuring remunerative prices for farmers, incentivising crop diversification, and maintaining the Union government’s commitment to keep MSPs at least 1.5 times the all-India weighted average cost of production, as announced in the 2018–19 Budget.
The margin over cost of production is estimated at 109% for wheat, 93% for mustard, 89% for lentil, 59% for gram, 58% for barley, and 50% for safflower.
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(Edited by : Ajay Vaishnav)
