MSPs for Key Crops Increased Before Sowing Season Begins The government of India (GOI) has raised the 2017/18 Minimum Support Prices (MSPs) for rabi crops in order to encourage farmers to plant more pulses and oilseeds. The MSPs for wheat and barley were also increased.

The government and its agencies pay the MSP to procure stocks if market prices fall below that set level. Those prices of oilseeds and pulses dropped below the MSPs in 2016/17, but GOI did not purchase much. Now pressure is building on the government to ensure that farmers receive at least thae value of the MSPs from the market or the government. Interestingly, GOI did not increase the MSP for sugarcane, keeping it at Rs.2,550/MT ($39.23/MT). Meanwhile, the Uttar Prades...