In a landmark move ahead of Dussehra during the auspicious Navratri festival, the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, approved the ‘National Pulses Mission’ and announced significant increases in the Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for rabi crops. The announcement was made by Union Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who described the decisions as “historic and farmer-centric.”
Shri Chouhan expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister on behalf of farmers, emphasizing that these initiatives will strengthen farmer incomes, enhance food and nutritional security, and ensure long-term agricultural growth. “These decisions reflect the Modi government’s sensitivity towards farmers and commitment to their welfare,” he said.
National Pulses Mission: Key Targets and Initiatives
The National Pulses Mission aims to achieve self-sufficiency in pulses, boost nutrition, and increase farmer incomes. The mission targets increasing pulses production from 24.2 million tonnes in 2024–25 to 35 million tonnes by 2030–31.
Key initiatives under the mission include:
- Implementation in 416 districts, focusing on rice fallow areas.
- Distribution of high-quality breeder, foundation, and certified seeds.
- Promotion of intercropping and irrigation facilities.
- Ensuring market linkages and technical support for farmers.
- 100% procurement at MSP for tur, urad, and lentils to guarantee full returns.
The mission has been allocated a budget of ₹11,440 crore for 2025–26.
MSP Hike for Rabi Crops
Alongside the Pulses Mission, the Cabinet approved a substantial increase in MSP for rabi crops. Farmers are now assured of up to 109% returns over the cost of production. The revised MSPs for 2026–27 marketing season are:
| Crop | MSP 2026–27 (₹/qtl) | Cost of Production (₹/qtl) | % Return | MSP 2025–26 (₹/qtl) | Increase (₹/qtl) |
| Wheat | 2585 | 1239 | 109 | 2425 | 160 |
| Barley | 2150 | 1361 | 58 | 1980 | 170 |
| Gram (Chana) | 5875 | 3699 | 59 | 5650 | 225 |
| Lentils (Masur) | 7000 | 3705 | 89 | 6700 | 300 |
| Rapeseed/Mustard | 6200 | 3210 | 93 | 5950 | 250 |
| Safflower | 6540 | 4360 | 50 | 5940 | 600 |
Shri Chouhan highlighted that MSPs have more than doubled since 2014–15, reflecting the government’s consistent focus on farmer welfare. For instance, MSP for wheat has increased from ₹1,400 to ₹2,585 per quintal, lentils from ₹2,950 to ₹7,000, and safflower from ₹3,000 to ₹6,540 per quintal.
“The National Pulses Mission and enhanced MSPs are decisive steps to secure farmers’ incomes, dignity, and India’s food and nutritional security,” Shri Chouhan said, underlining that these measures will be implemented with full transparency and scientific rigor.
With these initiatives, the Modi government has reinforced its farmer-first approach, aiming to make India self-reliant in pulses while ensuring sustainable agricultural growth and improved livelihoods for farmers.
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