New Delhi. The government has released figures to provide the benefit of Minimum Support Price (MSP) to farmers and to increase government procurement of agricultural produce. According to the official factsheet released on Thursday, procurement of six Rabi crops increased from 2,302 lakh metric tonnes in financial year 2004-05 to 3,921 lakh metric tonnes in 2025-26.
During the same period, payments under MSP increased from Rs 2.65 lakh crore to Rs 8.36 lakh crore. The government says that the increase in MSP, expansion of procurement system and use of digital platforms are helping farmers to access the market and get fair prices for their produce.
Estimated payment of Rs 90,962 crore in Rabi marketing season 2027-28
The government had on September 30 approved an increase in the minimum support price of Rabi crops scheduled for Rabi Marketing Season (RMS) 2027-28. Under this, approximately Rs 90,962 crore is estimated to be paid to farmers for the purchase of 324 lakh metric tonnes of produce. According to the government, the objective of increasing MSP is to provide better prices to farmers for their produce and encourage them for crop diversification.
Highest increase in MSP of safflower by Rs 675 per quintal
This time the maximum increase in MSP has been made for safflower. Its rate has been increased by Rs 675 per quintal. After this, the MSP of rapeseed and mustard has been increased by Rs 413 per quintal, lentil by Rs 390 per quintal and barley by Rs 136 per quintal. The minimum support price of wheat and gram has also increased compared to last year. The government declares MSP for 22 major agricultural crops every year. These rates are decided on the basis of the recommendations of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP).
Estimate of 106 percent return on wheat cost
According to the factsheet, wheat leads in terms of estimated return on production cost. Margin on wheat has been estimated at 106 percent. After this, the margin is estimated at 96 percent on rapeseed and mustard, 92 percent on lentils and 59 percent on gram. Through these figures, the government has said that farmers will get better prices than the cost of production through MSP.
Accelerating purchases and payments through digital platforms
The government has also emphasized on the use of digital platforms for purchasing agricultural produce and making payments to farmers. According to the factsheet, produce was purchased from more than 43 lakh farmers through the 'e-Samyukt' platform till October 19, 2026. Under this, more than 37.45 lakh metric tonnes of produce was purchased and an amount of more than Rs 13,000 crore was deposited in the accounts of farmers. At the same time, more than 1.37 crore farmers are registered on the 'e-Samriddhi' platform. Through this, more than 2.25 crore units of produce were purchased and payments were made to farmers more than 81 lakh times.
Government's focus: better prices and crop diversification
According to the government, efforts are being made to strengthen farmers' access to the market through guarantee of MSP, expansion of government procurement and technology-based payment system. Along with encouraging crop diversification, there is also an emphasis on making the procurement process more transparent and accessible.
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