India raises support prices for six rabi crops

India’s Union Cabinet approved higher minimum support prices for six rabi crops for the 2027-28 marketing year, setting wheat at ₹2,610 per quintal, an increase of ₹25 from the previous season, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on September 30. The new rates also set barley at ₹2,286 per quintal, gram at ₹5,958, masur at ₹7,390, rapeseed and mustard at ₹6,613, and safflower at ₹7,215. Compared with the prior marketing season, the increases range from ₹25 for wheat to ₹675 for safflower. The Cabinet cleared the agriculture ministry’s proposal following recommendations from the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices. Vaishnaw said the estimated payout was ₹90,962 crore for 324 lakh tonnes in the 2027-28 marketing year. Reports of the announcement did not specify which crops or procurement assumptions were included in those figures, so the estimate does not establish how much produce will ultimately be purchased at the announced rates. The new wheat price compares with ₹2,585 per quintal for 2026-27. The other previous-season rates were ₹2,150 for barley, ₹5,875 for gram, ₹6,200 for rapeseed and mustard, and ₹6,540 for safflower.