Overview
The Union Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved the Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for six rabi crops for the Rabi Marketing Season (RMS) 2027-28. The decision was announced through a Press Information Bureau (PIB) release dated 30 September 2026. The crops covered are wheat, barley, gram, lentil (masur), rapeseed & mustard, and safflower. These are the crops that farmers sow in the coming winter and harvest in 2027, so the new rates matter for sowing decisions being made right now.
Every crop on the list gets a higher support price than last season. The biggest rise in rupee terms is for safflower, followed by rapeseed & mustard and lentil, while wheat sees the smallest increase of the six.
Also read
Crop-wise MSP for RMS 2027-28
All figures are in rupees per quintal, as given in the PIB release.
| Crop | MSP RMS 2026-27 (₹/quintal) | MSP RMS 2027-28 (₹/quintal) | Increase (₹/quintal) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wheat | 2,585 | 2,610 | 25 |
| Barley | 2,150 | 2,286 | 136 |
| Gram | 5,875 | 5,958 | 83 |
| Lentil (Masur) | 7,000 | 7,390 | 390 |
| Rapeseed & Mustard | 6,200 | 6,613 | 413 |
| Safflower | 6,540 | 7,215 | 675 |
Cost of Production and Margin Over Cost
The government links MSP to the all-India weighted average cost of production. The PIB release says the new rates are in line with the Union Budget 2018-19 announcement that MSP should be fixed at a minimum of one and a half times this cost. The table below shows the cost figure and the expected margin for each crop.
| Crop | Cost of production (₹/quintal) | MSP 2027-28 (₹/quintal) | Expected margin over cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wheat | 1,264 | 2,610 | 106% |
| Rapeseed & Mustard | 3,367 | 6,613 | 96% |
| Lentil (Masur) | 3,854 | 7,390 | 92% |
| Gram | 3,751 | 5,958 | 59% |
| Barley | 1,447 | 2,286 | 58% |
| Safflower | 4,810 | 7,215 | 50% |
According to the release, the cost figure used here is a comprehensive one. It counts cash costs such as hired labour, bullock or machine labour, rent on leased land, seeds, fertiliser, manure, irrigation charges, diesel or electricity for pump sets, depreciation on implements and farm buildings, interest on working capital and miscellaneous expenses. It also adds an imputed value for the labour put in by the farmer’s own family. This is why the margin for each crop is different: the cost of growing a quintal of wheat is far lower than the cost of growing a quintal of lentil or safflower.
Why Pulses and Oilseeds Got Bigger Increases
The PIB release states that the government has been offering higher support prices for crops other than cereals, mainly pulses and oilseeds, to encourage farmers to diversify. This season’s numbers reflect that approach. Mustard, lentil and safflower together account for the three largest increases, while wheat, the main cereal, gets a much smaller rise. For a farmer deciding how to split land between wheat and mustard or lentil this winter, the difference in the price increase is worth weighing alongside local yields, irrigation and market access.
Procurement Figures Shared in the Release
- Wheat procured from 2014-15 to 2025-26: 3,715 lakh metric tonnes (LMT), compared with 2,254 LMT from 2004-05 to 2013-14.
- All six rabi crops procured from 2014-15 to 2025-26: 3,921 LMT, compared with 2,302 LMT in the earlier ten-year period.
- MSP paid to farmers for wheat from 2014-15 to 2025-26: ₹7.31 lakh crore.
- MSP paid for all six rabi crops over the same period: ₹8.36 lakh crore.
What MSP Means for Farmers
MSP is the price at which government agencies buy a notified crop when they carry out procurement. It works as a floor for that procurement; it does not fix the price at which private traders must buy, and open-market rates can be higher or lower depending on local supply and demand. Whether a farmer can actually sell at MSP depends on whether procurement for that crop is running in their state and at their nearest purchase centre. Farmers who plan to sell to a government agency should check with their state agriculture or food and civil supplies department about registration, purchase centres and timelines once the marketing season approaches.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Confusing the season names: RMS 2027-28 rates apply to the crop sown in winter 2026 and sold in 2027, not to the wheat already harvested earlier this year.
- Assuming MSP is guaranteed for every sale. It applies to procurement by government agencies, not to every private transaction.
- Relying on forwarded images or messages for rates. Check the figures against the official PIB release before making decisions.
- Missing state registration. Many states require farmers to register in advance for government procurement, so watch for your state’s announcement.
Official Links
- PIB release on MSP for rabi crops, RMS 2027-28: pib.gov.in
- PIB Cabinet Decisions page: pib.gov.in
This is a private information website and is not connected with any government body. Always confirm details on the official website.