Farmer organisations reject 2027-28 Rabi crop MSP hikes as 'insult', demand revision
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Farmer organisations under the Samyukta Kisan Morcha rejected the Indian government's minimum support prices for Rabi crops for 2027-28, calling the Rs 25-per-quintal increase for wheat an 'insult' and demanding immediate revision of MSPs for all Rabi crops and freedom for states to provide bonuses, citing rising input costs and alleging that the Centre ignored state recommendations.
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Why It Matters
The Indian government announced minimum support prices for Rabi crops for the 2027-28 season on September 30, including a Rs 25-per-quintal increase for wheat, which farmer organisations criticised as inadequate given rising input costs.
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NEW DELHI: Farmer organisations under the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) umbrella have rejected govt's minimum support prices for Rabi crops for 2027-28, announced on Sept 30, calling the Rs 25-per-quintal - equivalent to just 25 paise per kg - increase for wheat an "insult". SKM sought immediate revision of MSPs for all Rabi crops and freedom for states to provide bonuses. "The 25 paise a kilo is not a price it is an insult...Yet govt calls it a 106% profit (return over the cost of production)." SKM said. It alleged Centre and Commission for Agricultural Costs & Prices had bulldozed states' recommendations and ignored rising diesel and input costs.
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It sought a rollback of diesel price increases, saying rates had risen about Rs 7.5 a litre. Centre said the MSPs reflected deficient monsoon rainfall and encouraged lower water-consuming oilseeds, pulses and coarse grain. Wheat's MSP rose less than 1%, from Rs 2,585 to Rs 2,610 per quintal. Safflower received the largest increase of Rs 675 per quintal, followed by rapeseed and mustard at Rs 413. Lentil rose Rs 390, barley Rs 136 and gram Rs 83. Agriculture expert Sudhir Panwar said the hike was actually below input-cost inflation.
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What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Farmer organisations will continue protests if MSPs are not revised
Likely · Within weeks
Open Questions
- Will the government revise the MSPs in response to farmer demands?
- How will the MSP decisions affect actual farmer incomes in the coming season?
- What specific actions will states take regarding bonus payments for crops?
