Punjab Farmers Flock to Mustard Amid Favorable Prices
Punjab farmers are shifting their focus from traditional crops like paddy and wheat to mustard due to favorable market prices, lower cultivation costs, and limited water requirements. According to Bathinda farmer Rajveer Singh, the price of mustard has reached Rs 8,000 per quintal, making it an attractive option for growers.
Singh notes that mustard takes about 150 days to mature, requires minimal water, and has relatively low cultivation costs compared to other crops. Additionally, he says the crop faces fewer pest attacks, reducing the need for costly crop protection measures.
The market price of Rs 8,000 per quintal exceeds the minimum support price (MSP) of Rs 6,200 set by the government for the 2026-27 marketing season. The MSP has been increasing over the years, reaching Rs 6,613 for the 2027-28 season.
According to data, mustard cultivation in Punjab has seen fluctuations over the past five years, but the area under cultivation increased from 40,000 hectares in 2021-22 to nearly 53,200 hectares in 2025-26. The state's Agriculture Department is promoting mustard as part of its efforts to diversify farming.