New Delhi
The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved a ₹160 hike in the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of wheat, raising it to ₹2,585 per quintal for the 2026–27 marketing season, up from ₹2,425 last year. Among other Rabi crops, safflower saw the highest increase of ₹600 per quintal, followed by lentil (₹300), mustard (₹250), gram (₹225), and barley (₹170).
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the hike would transfer ₹84,263 crore directly to farmers. The wheat procurement target for the upcoming Rabi season is set at 297 lakh metric tonnes. Officials noted the hike aligns with the 2018–19 Budget decision to fix MSPs at least 1.5 times the average cost of production. Estimated returns include 109% for wheat, 93% for mustard, and 50% for safflower, promoting remunerative prices and crop diversification.
In a key step toward self-reliance, the Cabinet also launched a ₹11,440 crore mission to boost domestic pulses production and reduce imports. Running from 2025–26 to 2030–31, the mission aims to meet rising demand and increase farmer incomes.
Though India is the world’s top pulses producer and consumer, higher demand driven by income growth has led to 15–20% import dependency. The mission will focus on research, better seeds, area expansion, procurement, and price stability. It will prioritise high-yield, pest-resistant, and climate-resilient pulse varieties, tested across key growing regions.
States will prepare five-year seed production plans, with ICAR overseeing breeder seed supply and other agencies managing certified seed distribution via the SATHI portal. By 2030–31, 126 lakh quintals of certified seeds are expected to be distributed across 370 lakh hectares, strengthening India’s goal of self-sufficiency in pulses.
