Cabinet raises wheat MSP by 6.6% ahead of rabi sowing, clears major pulses push

The Centre on Wednesday raised the minimum support price (MSP) for wheat by 6.59% to ₹2,585 per quintal for the 2026-27 marketing season. The increase comes just ahead of the scheduled rabi crop sowing starting this month.

For the ongoing season (2025-26), the wheat MSP was fixed at ₹2,425 per quintal. Wheat, the country's primary rabi crop, is sown between late October and December, and harvested from March onwards. Other rabi crops include jowar, barley, gram, and lentils.

Announcing the decision after a Cabinet meeting, Union information and broadcasting minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the MSPs for six rabi crops have been approved for the upcoming season. "Wheat MSP has been fixed at ₹2,585 per quintal," he told reporters.


The marketing year for wheat begins in April, though bulk of the procurement is completed by June. The MSPs are based on recommendations of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP). The government has also set an ambitious wheat production target of 119 million tonnes for 2025-26 (July-June), higher than the record 117.5 million tonnes estimated for 2024-25.

Mission Pulses

The cabinet also approved a ₹11,400 crore plan to boost pulses production over a six-year period.

India is the world's largest producer and consumer of pulses. Domestic consumption of pulses has been steadily rising in line with growing incomes and improving standard of living. However, production has failed to keep pace with rising demand, leading to a 15-20% increase in pulses imports.

As part of the initiative, the government would seek to expand the area under pulses cultivation by an additional 3.5 million hectares by targeting rice fallow areas and other diversifiable lands, supported by promoting intercropping and crop diversification. Towards this, 8.8 million seed kits would be distributed free of cost to farmers.

The six-year plan to boost pulses production will adopt a strategy covering research, seed systems, area expansion, procurement, and price stability. It emphasises the development and dissemination of high-yielding, pest-resistant, and climate-resilient pulse varieties.