Cabinet hikes MSP for six Rabi crops, wheat sees ₹160 increase, Pg7.

Key Highlights:

• The Centre increased the Minimum Support Prices (MSPs) for six Rabi crops for the Rabi Marketing Season (RMS) 2026-27.
• Wheat saw the highest increase of ₹160 per quintal.
• Wheat procurement reached 29.98 million tonnes during RMS 2025-26, with ₹71,758 crore paid to 23.54 lakh farmers.
• The Union Cabinet approved the Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses with a financial outlay of ₹11,440 crore from 2025-26 to 2030-31.

Detailed Insights:

• The government has set a wheat production target of 119 million tonnes for the 2025-2026 crop year, a 1.26% increase from last year's 117.51 million tonnes.
• Safflower MSP saw the maximum hike of ₹600, reaching ₹6,540 per quintal.
• The Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses aims to boost domestic production and achieve self-sufficiency in pulses over six years.
• Increased MSP aims to incentivize farmers to increase production of Rabi crops, ensuring food security and reducing import dependence.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Minimum Support Price (MSP): A price set by the government to purchase crops from farmers, ensuring a minimum profit.
• Rabi Crops: Crops sown in winter and harvested in the spring.
• Aatmanirbharta: Self-reliance or self-sufficiency, especially in the context of national policy.