Centre Hikes MSP for All Rabi Crops for 2027-28 Marketing Season; Safflower Gets Highest Increase

September 30, 2026

New Delhi: The Centre has approved higher Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for all mandated Rabi crops for the 2027-28 marketing season, with safflower receiving the highest increase of Rs 675 per quintal. The decision was taken by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The latest MSP revision covers wheat, barley, gram, lentil (masur), rapeseed and mustard, and safflower. The government said the increase is aimed at ensuring remunerative prices for farmers and encouraging cultivation of pulses and oilseeds.

Safflower, mustard and lentil get major MSP hikes

Among the Rabi crops, safflower has received the highest increase of Rs 675 per quintal, followed by rapeseed and mustard at Rs 413 and lentil (masur) at Rs 390.

The MSP increase for other major Rabi crops is:

• Safflower: Rs 675 per quintal
• Rapeseed & Mustard: Rs 413 per quintal
• Lentil (Masur): Rs 390 per quintal
• Barley: Rs 136 per quintal
• Gram: Rs 83 per quintal
• Wheat: Rs 25 per quintal

The government has said the MSP policy follows the principle announced in the Union Budget 2018-19 of fixing MSP at at least 1.5 times the all-India weighted average cost of production.

Government focus on pulses and oilseeds

In recent years, the Centre has been promoting crops other than cereals, particularly pulses and oilseeds, through higher MSP increases. The latest decision continues that approach, with the larger increases going to safflower, rapeseed and mustard, and lentil.

The government has also highlighted increased procurement of Rabi crops and higher MSP payments to farmers in recent years.

What the MSP hike means for farmers

The revised MSP rates are intended to provide farmers with a higher benchmark price for their Rabi produce. Government agencies procure eligible agricultural crops at MSP when applicable, while farmers can also sell their produce in the open market.

The decision comes as preparations for the upcoming Rabi season are underway, with the Agriculture Ministry recently calling for timely procurement, adequate inputs and stronger field-level monitoring.