Prime Minister Narendra Modi has delivered two big boosts to India’s farmers just ahead of Dussehra and Diwali. Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan shared the exciting news on Wednesday, highlighting how the government is stepping up support for the country’s backbone—its farmers and agriculture sector.
Agriculture drives India’s economy, and Chouhan emphasized that the Modi government is focused on boosting farmers’ incomes through higher production, lower costs, and fair prices for their crops. One key move: the Cabinet approved increased Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for all mandated Rabi crops for the 2026-27 marketing season. This ensures farmers get remunerative returns on their hard work.
Chouhan announced MSP hikes for six major Rabi crops, calling it a historic step. Wheat now fetches Rs 2,585 per quintal, up Rs 160 from the previous Rs 2,425. Barley jumps to Rs 2,150 per quintal, a Rs 170 increase from Rs 1,980. Lentils (masur) rise to Rs 7,000 per quintal, gaining Rs 300 over last year’s Rs 6,700.
The biggest boost goes to safflower at Rs 600 per quintal, followed by rapeseed and mustard at Rs 250, gram at Rs 225, and barley at Rs 170. These changes, approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs under Modi’s chairmanship, align with the 2018-19 Union Budget promise to set MSP at least 1.5 times the all-India average cost of production.
This means solid margins for farmers: wheat sees a 109% edge over costs, rapeseed and mustard 93%, lentils 89%, gram 59%, barley 58%, and safflower 50%. It’s all about giving growers fair deals and encouraging crop diversification in Indian agriculture.
The second gift targets self-reliance in pulses. While India’s food grain production has surged about 44% over the last 11 years, the country still imports a lot of pulses. To fix that, the government greenlit the Pulses Mission, which will expand pulse-growing areas and boost productivity through targeted campaigns.
Chouhan stressed that self-sufficiency in pulses is crucial for India’s food security. These steps aim to empower farmers, stabilize prices, and strengthen the rural economy ahead of the festive season.
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