Huge increase in MSP of pulses and oilseeds crops to increase domestic production

29-May-2025 11:21 AM

New Delhi. Concerned about the record import of pulses and edible oils and the high expenditure associated with it, the government is focusing on boosting domestic production.

As part of this effort, the minimum support price (MSP) for pulses and oilseeds has been raised significantly—by more than Rs 400 per quintal—for the Kharif season of 2025-26.

Compared to the 2024-25 season, the MSP of urad has been increased by Rs 400 from Rs 7400 to Rs 7800 per quintal, arhar (tuvar) by Rs 450 from Rs 7550 to Rs 8000 per quintal, and moong by Rs 86 from Rs 8682 to Rs 8768 per quintal.

The government had earlier expressed its commitment to ensuring fair prices for moong. However, industry and trade analysts caution that unless the massive import of pulses at low prices is curbed, domestic farmers will not get fair returns or incentives to increase production.

Similarly, the MSP of major Kharif oilseeds has also been increased significantly. Compared to 2024-25, the MSP of soybean (yellow) has risen by Rs 436 from Rs 4892 to Rs 5328 per quintal, groundnut by Rs 480 from Rs 6783 to Rs 7263 per quintal, sesame by Rs 579 from Rs 9267 to Rs 9846 per quintal, sunflower by Rs 441 from Rs 7280 to Rs 7721 per quintal, and nigerseed by Rs 820 from Rs 8717 to Rs 9537 per quintal.

In addition, the MSP of cotton has also seen a sharp hike of Rs 589 per quintal. For the medium staple category, it has been raised from Rs 7121 to Rs 7710 per quintal, and for long staple varieties, from Rs 7521 to Rs 8110 per quintal.

Although the import of edible oils has declined in the current marketing season (November–October) of 2024-25 compared to 2023-24, it is expected to rise again in the coming months.

The increase in MSP ahead of the sowing period of Kharif pulses and oilseeds is expected to help farmers make more confident cropping decisions