Govt hikes Wheat MSP by Rs 150 for 2025-2026 marketing season

Govt hikes Wheat MSP: The Indian government has hiked the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for wheat by Rs 150 to Rs 2,425 a quintal for the 2025-26 marketing season, with the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs making the announcement headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi . The hike comes at a time when many states are gearing up for crucial elections.

In addition to wheat, the Cabinet has cleared the increase in MSP for six rabi crops with an increase of Rs 130 to Rs 300 per quintal. "The increase is similar to what was made for Kharif crops, and MSP for rabi crops has also gone up by a healthy range, almost just like it happened with Kharif crops," said Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.

Reacting to the announcement, Prime Minister Modi emphasised the government's commitment to farmer welfare, stating that the increased MSP will ease the financial burden on farmers. He noted that the new wheat MSP is 105 per cent higher than the cost of production, calling this adjustment "a big thing."

The government also fixed the MSP at an all-time high of Rs 5,950 per quintal for rapeseed and mustard to boost domestic oilseed production and reduce the country's dependence on edible oil imports. The support price of safflower rose by Rs 140 to Rs 5,940 per quintal; that of masur or lentil, which has seen input cost hovering around double the MSP level, touched Rs 6,700 per quintal. A victory was also achieved in terms of support price when Gram witnessed an increase of Rs 210. In contrast, the price for MSP of barley increased by Rs 130, and it touched the figure of Rs 1,980 per quintal.

The decision coincides with elections in states such as Maharashtra, Jharkhand, and Delhi. However, Vaishnaw rejected suggestions of a political motive behind the MSP hikes: These decisions are usually made in the last quarter of every year, Vaishnaw said. He asserted that farmers have a good perception of the government, claiming significant improvements in their lives.

These MSP increases align with the commitment to fix support prices at least 1.5 times the all-India weighted average cost of production. The government expects that the hikes would enable enough farm gate prices for farmers and support crop diversification.