Modest 3% increase in paddy support price

• Focus on crop diversification

- SANDIP DAS

The Cabinet on Wednesday approved an increase in the range of 1-9% in the minimum support prices (MSP) of major kharif crops for the 2025-26 kharif season (July-June) but raised the support price for paddy by a modest 3% to ₹2,369/quintal. The hike in paddy support price for the next kharif season, for which sowing is about to start, is the lowest in five years.

With a huge surplus of rice stocks in the central pool, the government is aiming to signal to the farmers to diversify to more remunerative crops like pulses and oilseeds, especially in northern states like Punjab and Haryana.

"Due to today's decision, farmers will get over ₹2.07 lakh crore by the way of MSP this season," information and broadcasting minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said.