"This is a historic increase": Shivraj Singh Chouhan after Cabinet approves MSP for Rabi crops

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) [India], October 2 (ANI): Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given "two major gifts" to the farmers of the country before Dussehra and Diwali, as the Cabinet on Wednesday approved MSP for Rabi crops for marketing season 2026-27
"...Before Dussehra and Diwali, the Prime Minister has given two major gifts to the country's farmers. Agriculture is the backbone of India's economy, and farmers are its soul. To increase the income of these farmers, the Modi government has decided to increase production, reduce costs, and provide fair prices for their produce," Chouhan told reporters
To ensure fair prices, procurement at MSP has been ensured. MSP has been announced today for six Rabi crops, he said.
"This is a historic increase. Wheat will now be purchased at Rs 2,585 per quintal, up from Rs 2,425 previously. Barley will now be purchased at Rs 2,150 per quintal, up from Rs 1,980 previously...The MSP on lentils has been increased from Rs 6,700 to Rs 7,000 per quintal," he said.
He also underlined the importance of "self-reliance" in the pulse production.
"Food grain production has increased by approximately 44% in the last 11 years. However, we are not yet self-sufficient in pulse production. Self-reliance is essential. Therefore, the Pulses Mission was also approved today. Under this, a campaign will be launched to increase the area of pulses... In fact, along with increasing the area, we will also work to increase the productivity of pulses..."
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved an increase in the Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for all mandated Rabi Crops for the Marketing Season 2026-27.
The government has increased the MSP of Rabi Crops for Marketing Season 2026-27, to ensure remunerative prices to the growers for their produce. The absolute highest increase in MSP has been announced for Safflower at Rs 600 per quintal, followed by Lentil (Masur) at Rs 300 per quintal.
For rapeseed and mustard, gram, barley, and wheat, there is an increase of Rs 250 per quintal, Rs 225 per quintal, Rs 170 per quintal, and Rs 160 per quintal, respectively.
Minimum Support Prices for all Rabi crops for Marketing Season 2026-27.
Refers to cost which includes all paid out costs such as those incurred on account of hired human labour, bullock labour/machine labour, rent paid for leased in land, expenses incurred on use of material inputs like seeds, fertilizers, manures, irrigation charges, depreciation on implements and farm buildings, interest on working capital, diesel/electricity for operation of pump sets etc., miscellaneous expenses and imputed value of family labour.
The increase in MSP for mandated Rabi Crops for Marketing Season 2026-27 is in line with the Union Budget 2018-19 announcement of fixing the MSP at a level of at least 1.5 times of the All-India weighted average Cost of Production.
The expected margin over All-India weighted average cost of production is 109 per cent for wheat, followed by 93 per cent for rapeseed & mustard; 89 per cent for lentil; 59 per cent for gram; 58 per cent for barley; and 50 per cent for safflower. This increased MSP of rabi crops will ensure remunerative prices to the farmers and incentivise crop diversification (ANI)