Modest MSP Hikes Announced for Rabi Crops Ahead of State Elections

The Centre has announced minimum support prices (MSPs) for six rabi crops for the 2027-28 marketing season, with wheat seeing a modest increase of just Rs 25 per quintal or 0.97% over the current MSP.

The highest increase of 10.32% has been announced for safflower, followed by rapeseed and mustard at 6.66%. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, took this decision.

For the rabi marketing season 2027-28, the MSP of wheat is fixed at Rs 2,610 per quintal, while that for barley has been increased to Rs 2,286 per quintal from Rs 2,150 per quintal last year. The increase in MSP for wheat is significant as major wheat-producing states like Uttar Pradesh and Punjab approach Assembly elections early next year.

The Centre expects farmers to receive Rs 90,962 crore as MSP under this decision. This move comes after the government had hiked the MSP for wheat by 6.6% last year.