The Government of India has officially announced the Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for Kharif Crops for the 2025-26 marketing season. This decision, approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) and chaired by the Prime Minister, aims to provide Indian farmers with fair and profitable returns for their produce. The revised MSPs will benefit millions of farmers growing paddy, pulses, oilseeds, and commercial crops across the country.
The new MSP rates ensure that farmers receive at least 1.5 times the cost of production, with the highest increase of ₹820 per quintal given to nigerseed, followed by ragi, cotton, and sesamum. These revised prices are intended to promote the cultivation of nutri-cereals, pulses, and oilseeds, boosting food security and farmer income.
Highlights of Kharif Crops MSP 2025-26
| Key Point | Details |
| Total Crops Covered | 14 major crops |
| Announced By | Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) |
| Date of Approval | May 28, 2025 |
| Highest MSP Increase | Nigerseed – ₹820 per quintal |
| Minimum Margin Over Cost | 50% (up to 172% for some crops) |
| Objective | Boost farmer income and crop diversification |
Big Update: Government Hikes MSP for Kharif Crops 2025-26
In a major decision aimed at supporting Indian farmers, the Government of India has approved new Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for Kharif crops for the 2025-26 marketing season. The announcement was made by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by the Prime Minister.
This move is expected to benefit millions of farmers engaged in the cultivation of paddy, pulses, oilseeds, and commercial crops like cotton.
The revised MSPs aim to ensure that farmers receive at least 1.5 times the cost of production, promoting better income and increased crop security.
Full List of Kharif Crops 2025-26 MSP – Crop-Wise Rates
Below is the detailed list of Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for all major Kharif crops for the 2025-26 season. The table includes last year’s rates, the increase in MSP, cost of production, and margin over cost.
| S.No. | Crop | MSP 2024-25 | MSP 2025-26 | Increase (₹) | Cost of Production | Margin Over Cost (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Paddy (Common) | 2300 | 2369 | 69 | 1579 | 50% |
| 2 | Paddy (Grade A) | 2320 | 2389 | 69 | — | — |
| 3 | Jowar (Hybrid) | 3371 | 3699 | 328 | 2466 | 50% |
| 4 | Jowar (Maldandi) | 3421 | 3749 | 328 | — | — |
| 5 | Bajra | 2625 | 2775 | 150 | 1703 | 63% |
| 6 | Ragi | 4290 | 4886 | 596 | 3257 | 50% |
| 7 | Maize | 2225 | 2400 | 175 | 1508 | 59% |
| 8 | Tur / Arhar | 7550 | 8000 | 450 | 5038 | 59% |
| 9 | Moong | 8682 | 8768 | 86 | 5845 | 50% |
| 10 | Urad | 7400 | 7800 | 400 | 5114 | 53% |
| 11 | Groundnut | 6783 | 7263 | 480 | 4842 | 50% |
| 12 | Sunflower Seed | 7280 | 7721 | 441 | 5147 | 50% |
| 13 | Soybean (Yellow) | 4892 | 5328 | 436 | 3552 | 50% |
| 14 | Sesamum | 9267 | 9846 | 579 | 6564 | 50% |
| 15 | Nigerseed | 8717 | 9537 | 820 | 6358 | 50% |
| 16 | Cotton (Medium Staple) | 7121 | 7710 | 589 | 5140 | 50% |
| 17 | Cotton (Long Staple) | 7521 | 8110 | 589 | — | — |
Cost of production includes all paid-out expenses like seeds, fertilizers, irrigation, labor, rent, depreciation, and family labor.
Crop with the Highest MSP Increase in 2025-26
Among all the Kharif crops, Nigerseed received the highest MSP increase of ₹820 per quintal, followed by Ragi (₹596), Cotton (₹589), and Sesamum (₹579). This strategic increase is aimed at promoting the cultivation of oilseeds and nutri-cereals, which are crucial for nutrition and reducing the dependency on imports.
What is MSP and Why It Is Important?
The Minimum Support Price (MSP) is the rate at which the government purchases crops from farmers, regardless of market fluctuations. It acts as a guaranteed safety net, protecting farmers from price volatility and ensuring stable income. MSP is revised annually based on the cost of production, inflation, and overall policy direction.
The new MSPs for 2025-26 are in line with the government’s commitment to provide at least 1.5 times the cost of production, as outlined in the Union Budget. In several crops like Bajra (63%), Maize (59%), Tur (59%), and Urad (53%), the margins are significantly higher.
Kharif Crops Procurement: Record Support for Farmers
Over the past decade (2014-15 to 2024-25), government procurement has seen a substantial rise:
- Paddy Procurement: 7,608 Lakh Metric Tonnes (LMT), up from 4,590 LMT in 2004-14
- Total Kharif Crop Procurement: 7,871 LMT (vs. 4,679 LMT in 2004-14)
- MSP Paid to Paddy Farmers: ₹14.16 lakh crore (vs. ₹4.44 lakh crore in 2004-14)
- MSP Paid for All 14 Kharif Crops: ₹16.35 lakh crore (vs. ₹4.75 lakh crore in 2004-14)
This reflects the government’s continued effort to strengthen farmer welfare through effective procurement and timely MSP disbursement.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What is the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for Kharif crops in 2025-26?
The government has increased the MSP for 14 major Kharif crops for the marketing season 2025-26. The MSP hike ranges from 1% to nearly 14%, with specific rates varying by crop. For example, the MSP for common paddy is ₹2,369 per quintal, up by ₹69 from the previous year.
Q2: Why has the government increased the MSP for Kharif crops?
The increase aligns with the Union Budget 2018-19 commitment to fix MSP at a minimum of 1.5 times the all-India weighted average cost of production. This ensures farmers receive fair compensation and a reasonable profit margin, encouraging crop diversification and sustainable agriculture.
Q1. What is the MSP for Paddy in 2025-26?
Paddy (Common) – ₹2369 per quintal
Paddy (Grade A) – ₹2389 per quintal
Q3. What is the minimum profit margin over production cost?
At least 50%, going up to 172% for some crops.
Q2. Which crop received the highest MSP hike?
Nigerseed, with a ₹820 per quintal increase.
Conclusion
The 2025-26 MSP hike for Kharif crops is a significant step toward empowering Indian farmers, ensuring food security, and promoting sustainable agriculture. With higher support prices and better profit margins, farmers are better equipped to face market uncertainties and invest in improved farming practices. This policy not only strengthens the agricultural backbone of the country but also aligns with the government’s vision of doubling farmer incomes and fostering rural prosperity.