Maharashtra Soybean Farmers Eager for Government Procurement

28-Oct-2025 04:42 PM

Mumbai. Soybean prices in major markets in Maharashtra have fallen well below the Minimum Support Price (MSP), causing significant hardship for farmers. Although the Central Government has now approved the purchase of approximately 18.61 lakh tonnes of soybean at the MSP, farmers' problems will persist until actual procurement begins.

The Central Government has increased the minimum support price of soybean to Rs 5,328 per quintal for the current marketing season (October-September) of 2025-26, while its wholesale market (loose) price is approximately 30 percent lower, ranging between Rs 3,500 and Rs 4,000 per quintal.

According to a progressive farmer, soybean production in Maharashtra and the entire country is expected to be 20-25 percent lower this year compared to last year, due to a sharp decline in the area under cultivation and significant damage to the crop due to floods and rains.

Farmers were hoping for better prices due to reduced production, but neither traders nor millers are willing to buy at higher prices, nor has government procurement begun.

In fact, the neighboring state of Madhya Pradesh implemented a price difference payment scheme for soybean, the impact of which is being felt in Maharashtra's markets. Under this scheme, if farmers in Madhya Pradesh sell their produce below the MSP, the government will pay them the difference between the MSP and the market price.

This will indirectly benefit farmers. The Maharashtra State Cooperative Marketing Federation has expressed dissatisfaction with the government's delay in granting permission for soybean procurement, stating that farmers in the state are being forced to sell their soybean stock at throwaway prices.

The Chief Minister of Maharashtra has announced that soybean procurement centers will open on October 30th and registration of farmers will begin on the same day.