NEW DELHI: The Centre on Wednesday raised the MSP for paddy by 3% (Rs 69) to Rs 2,369 per quintal, even as it placed special focus on pulses, oilseeds and coarse grains (nutri-cereals), hiking their MSP by 6%, 9% and nearly 14%, respectively, for the 2025-26 kharif marketing season.The move is in sync with government’s growing focus on cultivation of crops other than water-guzzling paddy. It wants to promote crop diversification and encourage cultivation of climate-resilient and water-efficient crops like nutri-cereals. The highest absolute increase in MSP over the previous year has, accordingly, been recommended for niger seed (Rs 820 per quintal), followed by ragi (Rs 596 per quintal), cotton (Rs 589 per quintal) and sesamum (Rs 579 per quintal).“We have taken care that on all the crops farmers receive at least 50% margin on their base cost,” said information and broadcasting minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, noting that the total MSP hike is estimated to be worth Rs 2.07 lakh crore.The expected margin for farmers over their cost of production is estimated to be the highest for bajra (63%) followed by maize (59%), tur (59%) and urad (53%). For the rest of the crops, the margin for farmers is estimated at 50%.The Cabinet approved the hike ahead of the beginning of the kharif sowing season, given the arrival of the monsoon in many parts of the country.
