India’s government just boosted support for farmers by raising the minimum support prices (MSP) for key rabi crops in the 2026-27 season. Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs in approving these hikes on Wednesday, aiming to give growers fair returns on their hard work.
The biggest jump goes to safflower, up by Rs 600 per quintal. Lentils (masur) follow with a Rs 300 increase per quintal. Rapeseed and mustard see a Rs 250 rise, gram gets Rs 225 more, barley gains Rs 170, and wheat rounds it out with Rs 160 per quintal. These changes build on the 2018-19 Union Budget promise to set MSP at least 1.5 times the all-India average cost of production.
For context, wheat farmers could earn a 109% margin over costs, rapeseed and mustard hit 93%, lentils reach 89%, gram 59%, barley 58%, and safflower 50%. This setup promises better profits and encourages farmers to diversify their crops, strengthening India’s agriculture sector.
The cost of production factors in everything from hired labor and machinery to seeds, fertilizers, rent, and even family labor. Officials say announcing MSP early helps farmers plan their sowing to boost earnings.
On a high note, India’s farm output hit records in 2024-25 for rice, wheat, maize, groundnut, and soybean, per Ministry of Agriculture estimates. Kharif foodgrains totaled 1,663.91 lakh metric tonnes, while rabi foodgrains came in at 1,645.27 lakh metric tonnes. These gains show India’s growing food security.
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