MSP for Kharif Crops 2025–26 | Paddy, Jowar, Bajra, Maize, Moong, Urad, Cotton, Groundnut
Minimum Support Price (MSP) plays a critical role in ensuring that farmers receive a fair and remunerative price for their crops. For the Kharif Marketing Season 2025–26, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, approved an increase in MSP for 14 major Kharif crops. This step aims to protect farmers from market volatility and encourage the cultivation of oilseeds, pulses, and nutri-cereals.
Why is MSP Important?
MSP is the minimum price guaranteed by the government for purchasing crops directly from farmers, ensuring they do not sell at a loss even if market prices dip. The MSP for 2025–26 has been set 1.5 times higher than the cost of production, as per the government’s promise made in the Union Budget 2018–19.
The highest absolute increase in MSP this year is for Nigerseed (₹820 per quintal), followed by Ragi (₹596), Cotton (₹589), and Sesamum (₹579).
Crop wise MSP Table (2025–26 vs 2024–25 with Margin)
| Crop | MSP 2025–26 (₹/quintal) | MSP 2024–25 (₹/quintal) | Increase (₹) | Margin over Cost % |
| Paddy (Common) | 2369 | 2300 | 69 | 50% |
| Paddy (Grade A) | 2389 | 2320 | 69 | 50% |
| Jowar (Hybrid) | 3699 | 3371 | 328 | 50% |
| Jowar (Maldandi) | 3749 | 3421 | 328 | 50% |
| Bajra | 2775 | 2625 | 150 | 63% |
| Ragi | 4886 | 4290 | 596 | 50% |
| Maize | 2400 | 2225 | 175 | 59% |
| Tur (Arhar) | 8000 | 7550 | 450 | 59% |
| Moong | 8768 | 8682 | 86 | 50% |
| Urad | 7800 | 7400 | 400 | 53% |
| Groundnut | 7263 | 6783 | 480 | 50% |
| Sunflower Seed | 7721 | 7280 | 441 | 50% |
| Soybean (Yellow) | 5328 | 4892 | 436 | 50% |
| Sesamum | 9846 | 9267 | 579 | 50% |
| Nigerseed | 9537 | 8717 | 820 | 50% |
| Cotton (Medium) | 7710 | 7121 | 589 | 50% |
| Cotton (Long) | 8110 | 7521 | 589 | 50% |
Government’s Approach to MSP
The government’s pricing formula ensures that farmers receive at least 1.5 times the production cost. For 2025–26, Bajra (63%) and Maize & Tur (59%) offer the highest margins, encouraging farmers to grow these profitable crops. Additionally, nutri-cereals (Shree Anna) and oilseeds have seen a sharper increase to promote healthier diets and reduce import dependency.
Benefits for Farmers
- Profit Security: Farmers are assured of a minimum profit margin irrespective of market conditions.
- Encouragement for Diversification: Pulses, oilseeds, and cotton farmers gain better price support compared to traditional cereals.
- Higher Procurement: Government procurement will likely increase due to higher MSPs, improving cash flow for rural farmers.
FAQs on MSP of Kharif Crops 2025–26
1. What is the MSP of Paddy (Common) for 2025–26?
The MSP of Paddy (Common) for 2025–26 is ₹2369 per quintal, which is ₹69 higher than last year’s ₹2300 per quintal.
2. Which crop has received the highest MSP hike this year?
Nigerseed has received the highest hike with an increase of ₹820 per quintal.
3. Which Kharif crop has the highest margin over cost?
Bajra has the highest profit margin at 63% over its cost of production.
4. What is the MSP for Cotton in 2025–26?
The MSP for Cotton (Medium Staple) is ₹7710 per quintal, and for Cotton (Long Staple), it is ₹8110 per quintal.
5. Why are pulses and oilseeds seeing a higher MSP increase?
The government is promoting the cultivation of pulses and oilseeds to reduce import dependency and provide farmers with more profitable crop choices.
Conclusion
The MSP for Kharif crops 2025–26 is a strong step toward ensuring better income security for farmers. With record hikes for Nigerseed and Ragi, along with healthy margins for Bajra, Maize, and Tur, this year’s MSP will help farmers make informed sowing decisions for the Kharif season.
