Farmers received 9-30% below MSPs for major Kharif crops during Oct-Dec period

The average rate of Jowar (sorghum) was ₹3,357/quintal, down 9 per cent from MSP, and that of bajra (millet) was ₹2,318/quintal, down by 16.5 per cent against MSP
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SIVAKUMAR PV

Barring paddy, all other Kharif crops ruled 9-30 per cent below their respective minimum support prices (MSPs) during key harvesting period October-December, according to official data. Even as the low prices have contributed to lower GVA of agri sector, this factor has not deterred farmers who have expanded the area under Rabi crops by 3 per cent this season, mostly under wheat.

According to official data compiled by Agmarknet portal, all India weighted average rate of paddy (common) was ₹2,407 per quintal during October-December 2025, which is about 1 per cent higher from its MSP of ₹2,389/quintal.

But, maize farmers on an average received ₹1,684/quintal, which was 30 per cent less than its MSP of ₹2,400/quintal. Farmers in Madhya Pradesh even got less – ₹1,582 per quintal.

Average rate of Jowar (sorghum) was ₹3,357/quintal, which was 9 per cent lower from MSP and that of bajra (millet) was ₹2,318/quintal, down by 16.5 per cent against MSP.

Weak pulse

Among pulses, the all-India average price of moong (green gram) was ₹6,575/quintal (25 per cent lower), tur (pigeon peas) ₹6,599/quintal (17.5 per cent lower) and urad (black gram) was ₹6,090/quintal (22 per cent lower). Among the major pulses-producing States, moong was priced lowest in Karnataka at ₹4,949/quintal, tur was at ₹5,040/quintal in Rajasthan and urad ₹4,804/quintal in Telangana.

Similarly, soyabean farmers received an average ₹4,197/quintal (21 per cent less) and groundnut for ₹5,583/quintal (23 per cent less) during the major harvesting period. Maharashtra farmers received the lowest for soyabean, at ₹4,186/quintal.

Though groundnut prices were higher than the year-ago period, farmers in Haryana received ₹4,821/quintal – the lowest among producing States.

Gross value added

Among cash crops, cotton (long staple) was sold at an average ₹7,034/quintal, down 13 per cent from its MSP of ₹8,110/quintal, data showed.

The agriculture and allied sector, which accounts for 17 per cent in India’s economy, has been projected by the government to have a GVA (gross value added) of ₹25.54 lakh crore with a growth rate of 3.1 per cent in FY26, according to the first advance estimates released by the National Statistics Office last week. The sector’s GVA at ₹24.77 lakh crore grew at 4.6 per cent in FY25.

But, real GVA (at current prices) of agri and allied sector grew at 0.8 per cent to ₹54.28 lakh crore in FY26, from ₹53.85 lakh crore in FY25 – 10.4 per cent in FY25 at current prices.

Experts have termed the marginal growth in GVA to higher production as there has been substantial drop in prices of agricultural and horticulture crops this year.

The government has estimated Kharif foodgrains output at record 173.33 million tonnes (mt) in 2025-26, up by 2.3 per cent. As Rabi crops arrive from April, its production during 2024-25 is considered in calculating the GVA for FY26 and as such the Rabi season’s foodgrain output was at record 169.17 mt, up by 5.7 per cent.

Published on January 12, 2026