Agriculture / The Economic Times
The government announced a 6.59 per cent increase in the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for wheat to Rs 2,585 per quintal for the 2026-27 marketing year. MSPs for five other rabi crops were also hiked, aiming to ensure remunerative prices for farmers and incentivise crop diversification, aligning with the 1.5 times cost of production policy.
Mjunction Services Ltd aims to more than double its tea auction volume to 20 million kg in FY26, up from 8 million kg in FY25. The company's B2B e-commerce platform has optimized the sales cycle, ensuring pricing transparency and quality for sellers and buyers. Despite these advancements, the market faces challenges from cheaper imported teas, which affect auction purchases.
India's kharif foodgrain production is set to exceed the government's goal. This is due to increased cultivation and favorable monsoon rains. Agriculture Commissioner P K Singh shared this optimistic outlook. While oilseed and pulse coverage is down, productivity is expected to rise. Crop damage from floods was minimal. The government will launch Vikhist Krishi Abhiyan to support farmers soon.
The GST rate cuts on dairy products, farm inputs, and food processing items are set to positively impact over 10 crore dairy farmers and bolster the cooperative sector, according to the Ministry of Cooperation. This restructuring addresses inverted duties in fertilizer manufacturing, aiming to stabilize prices for farmers and ensure timely input availability.
Across South India, coconut prices have surged from Rs 15-25 to Rs 80-100 due to pandemic-induced supply chain disruptions, climate change impacts, and pest infestations. Neglect of plantations and reduced yields have exacerbated the shortage, impacting copra, oil, and fresh nut availability. Despite being the largest producer, India faces a global crisis affecting prices and supply.
The Centre has set a rice procurement target of 463.50 lakh tonnes for the Kharif season. In a meeting chaired by Union Food Secretary Sanjeev Chopra, the Department of Food and Public Distribution discussed procurement arrangements with States/UTs and FCI for the upcoming Kharif Marketing Season 2025-26, also setting a target of 19.19 lakh tonnes for coarse grains/millets.
PM Modi on Friday declared from Red Fort that he will stand like a wall to protect farmers and fishermen from any unfriendly policies, ensuring their rights and interests remain secure.
Narendra Modi will inaugurate the National Natural Farming Mission in New Delhi. Shivraj Singh Chouhan shared the news after a meeting with state agriculture ministers. The mission aims to improve soil health and reduce costs for farmers. The government approved the scheme with a significant financial outlay. India has seen record production in wheat and paddy.