Early Times Report NEW DELHI, May 13: Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) Satnam Singh Sandhu has welcomed the Union government decision to increase the Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for 14 Kharif crops for the 2025-26 marketing season. "The decision of Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to increase in the MSP for 14 Kharif Crops for Marketing Season 2026-27 is a welcome decision. It will go a long way in the welfare of farmers by boosting farmers' income and supporting the agricultural economy. This announcement underscores the Union government's commitment to empowering farmers and fortifying the agricultural sector. Besides this MSP hike, Union government has ensured uninterrupted supply of fertilizers during the crucial sowing season while also preventing any increase in the prices in the wake of the ongoing US-Iran war and rising tensions in West Asia. The timely measures helped insulate Indian farmers from global supply disruptions and rising input costs thereby protecting them from financial stress during a critical agricultural period," he said. "As crops such as paddy, Moong, Maize, Jowar, Bajra, are widely cultivated across Punjab, this MSP hike will benefit state's farmers from revision. As the expected margins over cost of production for 2026-27 are highest for moong, followed by bajra, maize, and tur/arhar, this MSP hike will further encourage farmers for crop diversification away from cereals towards pulses, oilseeds and nutri-cereals (Shree Anna),". "MSPs have shown a significant long-term rise since 2013-14, with crops like ragi, nigerseed, jowar, sunflower seed, and cotton recording sharp percentage increases over the decade. Today, the MSP for common paddy has been increased by Rs 72 to Rs 2,441 per quintal for the 2026-27 season from Rs 2,369 per quintal in 2025-26 which is a hike of 86% since 2013-14. Hybrid jowar rose by Rs 324 per quintal which is hike of 168 % since 2013.14. MSP for Bajra rose by Rs 125 which a hike of 132% since 2013-14. MSP for Maize was hiked by Rs 10 per quintal which 84% increase since 2013-14. In pulses, MSP for Moong was hiked by Rs 12 per quintal which in increase of 95% since 2013-14. Cotton MSP was increased by Rs 557 per quintal which is a hike of 123% since 2013-14. The expected margins over cost of production for 2026-27 are highest for moong, followed by bajra, maize, and tur/arhar. These revised MSPs are aimed at ensuring remunerative returns to farmers while maintaining its policy of fixing support prices at least 1.5 times the all-India weighted average cost of production," he added. |