Govt approves higher MSP for all rabi crops: Wheat at ₹2,585, safflower sees biggest jump

The Union government on Wednesday approved an increase in the Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for all mandated rabi crops for the 2026-27 marketing season.

The decision was taken in the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Addressing the Cabinet briefing, IT minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced a 6.59% increase in the minimum support price (MSP) for wheat to ₹2,585 per quintal.

The highest absolute rise of 600 per quintal was announced for safflower.

The MSP of safflower has been raised to ₹6,540 per quintal for the 2026-27 marketing season from ₹5,940 per quintal earlier.

Lentil (masur) saw the second-highest increase of ₹300 per quintal, followed by rapeseed & mustard (₹250), gram (₹225), barley (₹170) and wheat (₹160).

The MSP of wheat has been fixed at ₹2,585 per quintal, barley at ₹2,150, gram at ₹5,875, lentil at ₹7,000, rapeseed & mustard at ₹6,200, and safflower at ₹6,540 per quintal.

“Estimated procurement during Rabi season 2026-27 is likely to be 297 Lakh MT and the amount to be paid to the farmers on the proposed MSP is ₹84,263 crore,” Vaishnaw said.

Crops MSP & Cost Summary

The move is in line with the Union Budget 2018-19 announcement to set MSPs at least 1.5 times the all-India weighted average cost of production.

The expected margin over cost of production is the highest for wheat at 109%, followed by rapeseed & mustard (93%), lentil (89%), gram (59%), barley (58%) and safflower (50%).

“This increased MSP of rabi crops will ensure remunerative prices to the farmers and incentivise crop diversification,” the statement read.