Centre's Renewed Thrust for Agri Modernisation

This year the monsoon hit Kerala on May 24, eight days earlier than normal, marking the earliest arrival in 16 years and offering hope for a bumper harvest in the upcoming season. The monsoon's advance has been rapid, reaching Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Northeast India.

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The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), on May 27, forecasted above-normal precipitation in the upcoming 2025 monsoon in most parts of the country. On May 28, the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare released the production estimates for the Indian crop year 2024-25, wherein grain production has been raised to a record 353.96 million metric tonne (MMT), nearly 21.7 MMT higher than last year. The increase is due to a record harvest of rice, wheat and corn due to favourable 2024 monsoon and weather conditions during the crop season.

Besides, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved the increase in the Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for 14 Kharif Crops for Marketing Season 2025-26 on May 28. This is to ensure remunerative prices to the farmers for their produce. The highest absolute increase in MSP over the previous year has been recommended for nigerseed (Rs 820 per quintal), followed by Ragi (Rs 596 per quintal), Cotton (Rs 589 per quintal) and Sesamum (Rs 579 per quintal).