Learn about the Minimum Support Price (MSP), its purpose, crops covered, and the latest MSP 2025-26 list for rabi crops. Understand how MSP supports farmers and ensures fair crop prices.
theIAShub | 02 Apr, 2025 | 1952 | 0
Minimum Support Price (MSP) is a government-set price to protect farmers from market fluctuations by ensuring a minimum income for their produce. It acts as a safety net, preventing farmers from facing losses when market prices fall below production costs. The government announces MSPs for various crops annually, mainly during the rabi and kharif seasons.
Minimum Support Price (MSP) is the guaranteed price set by the Government of India for certain agricultural crops. It ensures farmers receive a fair price, regardless of market conditions. The objective is to encourage agricultural production, ensure food security, and protect farmers’ livelihoods.
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The MSP full form is Minimum Support Price. It is a critical component of India’s agricultural policy, providing stability and financial support to farmers.
Government fixes Minimum Support Prices (MSPs) for 22 mandated agricultural crops based on the recommendations of the Commission for Agricultural Costs & Prices (CACP), after considering the views of State Governments and Central Ministries/Departments concerned and other relevant factors. While recommending MSP, CACP considers various factors viz. cost of production, overall demand-supply situations of various crops in domestic and world markets, domestic and international prices, inter-crop price parity, terms of trade between agriculture and non-agriculture sector, likely effect of price policy on rest of economy and a minimum of 50 per cent as the margin over the cost of production. The production cost computed by CACP includes all paid out costs such as those incurred on account of hired human labour, bullock labour/machine labour, rent paid for leased land, expenses incurred on use of material inputs like seeds, fertilizers, manures, irrigation charges, depreciation on implements and farm buildings, interest on working capital, diesel/electricity for operation of pump sets etc, miscellaneous expenses and imputed value of family labour.
For farmers, MSP serves as an assurance that they will not incur losses even when market prices are low. It incentivizes the cultivation of essential crops and ensures farmers’ economic well-being. MSP also helps the government maintain buffer stocks for public distribution.
As of 2025, the government announces MSP for 23 crops, including cereals, pulses, oilseeds, and commercial crops. The crops are divided into rabi and kharif seasons.
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The MSP 2025-26 for rabi crops is determined considering input costs, fair return to farmers, and price trends. The official MSP 2025-26 list for rabi crops includes:
| Crop | MSP 2025-26 (₹/Quintal) | Increase from 2024-25 |
| Wheat | ₹2,375 | ₹100 ↑ |
| Barley | ₹1,935 | ₹85 ↑ |
| Chana (Gram) | ₹5,735 | ₹400 ↑ |
| Mustard | ₹5,850 | ₹200 ↑ |
| Masur (Lentil) | ₹6,200 | ₹200 ↑ |
These prices ensure profitability for farmers, covering production costs and offering a reasonable margin.
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Following is the list of prices of all the crops for which MSP is declared
Minimum Support Price (MSP) Trends (₹ per quintal)
| Crop (Variety) | 2013-14 | 2023-24 | % Inc. | Cost* (2023-24) | Margin % | |
| KHARIF CROPS | ||||||
| 1 | Paddy (Common) | 1,310 | 2,300 | 75% | 1,533 | 50% |
| 2 | Paddy (Grade A) | 1,345 | 2,320 | 72% | – | – |
| 3 | Jowar (Hybrid) | 1,500 | 3,371 | 124% | 2,247 | 50% |
| 4 | Jowar (Maldandi) | 1,520 | 3,421 | 125% | – | – |
| 5 | Bajra | 1,250 | 2,625 | 110% | 1,485 | 77% |
| 6 | Ragi | 1,500 | 4,290 | 186% | 2,860 | 50% |
| 7 | Maize | 1,310 | 2,225 | 69% | 1,447 | 54% |
| 8 | Tur/Arhar | 4,300 | 7,550 | 75% | 4,761 | 59% |
| 9 | Moong | 4,500 | 8,682 | 92% | 5,788 | 50% |
| 10 | Urad | 4,300 | 7,400 | 72% | 4,883 | 52% |
| 11 | Groundnut | 4,000 | 6,783 | 69% | 4,522 | 50% |
| 12 | Sunflower seed | 3,700 | 7,280 | 96% | 4,853 | 50% |
| 13 | Soyabean (Yellow) | 2,560 | 4,892 | 91% | 3,261 | 50% |
| 14 | Sesamum | 2,500 | 9,267 | 270% | 6,178 | 50% |
| 15 | Nigerseed | 3,500 | 8,717 | 149% | 5,811 | 50% |
| 16 | Cotton (Medium Staple) | 3,700 | 7,121 | 92% | 4,747 | 50% |
| 17 | Cotton (Long Staple) | 4,000 | 7,521 | 88% | – | – |
| RABI CROPS | ||||||
| 18 | Wheat | 1,400 | 2,275 | 63% | 1,128 | 102% |
| 19 | Barley | 1,100 | 1,850 | 68% | 1,158 | 60% |
| 20 | Gram | 3,100 | 5,440 | 75% | 3,400 | 60% |
| 21 | Masur (Lentil) | 2,950 | 6,425 | 118% | 3,405 | 89% |
| 22 | Rapeseed & Mustard | 3,050 | 5,650 | 85% | 2,855 | 98% |
| 23 | Safflower | 3,000 | 5,800 | 93% | 3,807 | 52% |
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The government considers multiple factors while fixing MSP, including:
The Minimum Support Price (MSP) remains a crucial mechanism to protect Indian farmers and ensure agricultural sustainability. With the updated MSP 2025-26 list for rabi crops, the government reaffirms its commitment to farmers’ welfare. Understanding what MSP is, how it benefits farmers, and how many crops are covered under MSP helps in recognizing its role in strengthening India’s agricultural sector. Stay informed about MSP updates to support farmers and promote a resilient agricultural economy.
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As of 2025, MSP covers 23 crops, including cereals, pulses, oilseeds, and commercial crops, divided across rabi and kharif seasons.
MSP ensures farmers receive a fair income by protecting them from market volatility, encouraging crop production, and maintaining food security.
The government releases the MSP 2025-26 list for rabi crops, which includes wheat, barley, gram, lentil (masur), rapeseed & mustard, and safflower, with revised prices for farmer welfare.
MSP stands for Minimum Support Price, a key agricultural policy measure by the Government of India to support farmers financially.
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