MSP hike announced for Major Kharif Crops ahead of 2025-26
The central government has increased the MSP of 14 kharif crops for the marketing season 2025-26. The MSP of crops like tur, arhar, moong, urad, groundnut, sunflower, soybean, and cotton has been increased. This step has been taken to ensure farmers a fair price for their produce.
The Union Cabinet has sanctioned a hike in the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for 14 principal Kharif crops for the 2025-26 marketing season. The MSP for pulses has been raised by Rs 450 per quintal for tur, Rs 86 per quintal for arhar, and Rs 100 per quintal for moong.
The minimum support price (MSP) for urad has risen by Rs 400. Regarding oilseeds, the MSP for groundnut, sunflower seeds, and soybean has been raised by Rs 480, Rs 441, and Rs 436, respectively. The MSP for cotton has been increased by Rs 589, and for paddy by Rs 69. The government annually adjusts the MSP for Kharif crops before farmers begin sowing, ensuring that they receive a fair price for their produce.
Three Crop Seasons in India
This year, Nigerseed saw the highest MSP increase of Rs 820 per quintal over the previous year, followed by ragi at Rs 596 per quintal, cotton at Rs 589 per quintal, and sesame at Rs 579 per quintal. India experiences three cropping seasons: summer, kharif, and rabi. Kharif crops are planted in June-July, relying on monsoon rains, and are harvested in October-November. Rabi crops are planted in October-November and are harvested from January onward, depending on their maturity. Summer crops are cultivated between the Rabi and Kharif seasons.
Estimated 50% profit
The rise in the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for Kharif crops for the 2025-26 marketing season aligns with the Union Budget 2018-19 announcement, which set the MSP at a minimum of 1.5 times the All India weighted average cost of production.
Farmers are expected to gain a 63 percent benefit over their production costs for millets, followed by maize and tur at 59 percent, and urad at 53 percent. For other crops, the estimated margin for farmers is 50 percent above their production costs.