Hans News Service Amaravati

Agricultureminister K Atchannaidu welcomed the Centre’s decision to increase the Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for rabi crops for the 2027-28 marketing season, saying it would provide greater price security to farmers.

The decision was approved at a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

According to the minister, the Centre has fixed the MSP at Rs 2,610 per quintal for wheat, Rs 2,286 for barley, Rs 5,958 for gram, Rs 7,390 for lentil (masur), Rs 6,613 for rapeseed and mustard, and Rs 7,215 for safflower.

Compared with the previous season, the MSP for safflower has been increased by Rs 675 per quintal, rapeseed and mustard by Rs 413, lentil by Rs 390, barley by Rs 136, gram by Rs 83 and wheat by Rs 25.

Atchannaidu said the higher MSPs for pulses and oilseeds would encourage farmers to diversify their crops and help strengthen returns from agriculture.

He said both the Centre and the state government were committed to ensuring that farmers received remunerative prices that covered their production costs and provided a reasonable return.

Increasing farmers’ incomes, making agriculture more profitable and protecting farmers from market price fluctuations should remain key priorities, he said.

The minister said the state government was ensuring timely availability of seeds, fertilisers and other agricultural inputs. It was also prepared to intervene in markets whenever necessary to help farmers secure remunerative prices for their produce.

He said the state government was working in coordination with the Centre to promote farmers’ welfare and the development of the agriculture sector.

The Centre and the state were moving forward together to provide greater financial security to farmers and make agriculture a more profitable livelihood, Atchannaidu said.