New Delhi, May 5: In a significant move to ensure farmers receive fair prices for their produce and avoid forced sales in the market, the central government has approved the purchase of sunflower and chickpeas at the Minimum Support Price (MSP). This initiative will involve an expenditure of ₹4,886 crore. The announcement was made by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare on Tuesday.
The ministry stated that Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has sanctioned the purchase of 9,023 metric tons of sunflower for the Rabi 2026 season in Karnataka. Additionally, the maximum purchase limit for chickpeas in Maharashtra during the Rabi 2025-26 season has been increased to 819,882 metric tons. These decisions will provide MSP security exceeding ₹4,886.46 crore for farmers.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare confirmed that, while approving the Karnataka government’s proposal, Minister Chouhan has sanctioned the purchase of 9,023 metric tons of sunflower under the Price Support Scheme (PSS) for the Rabi 2026 season. The total MSP value for this approval will exceed ₹69.66 crore, ensuring that sunflower farmers in Karnataka receive a fair and profitable price for their produce.
This initiative by the central government is particularly beneficial for farmers who often face the risk of selling their crops at lower prices due to market pressures. The approval for MSP purchases will strengthen farmers’ confidence and promote stability in the agricultural sector.
In line with this, responding to the Maharashtra government’s proposal, Minister Chouhan has approved the increase of the maximum purchase quantity for chickpeas under the PSS to 819,882 metric tons for the Rabi 2025-26 season. The total MSP value for this approval will exceed ₹4,816.80 crore. Furthermore, the deadline for chickpea purchases in Maharashtra has been extended by 30 days, now set to conclude on May 29, 2026. This decision is crucial for farmers who were unable to sell their produce within the stipulated timeframe, allowing more farmers to benefit from MSP and reducing the pressure to sell at lower market prices.
In conclusion, the ministry emphasized that these decisions regarding sunflower purchases in Karnataka and chickpeas in Maharashtra demonstrate the government’s sensitivity and proactive approach to safeguarding farmers’ economic interests. These measures will not only provide direct financial benefits to farmers in the respective states but also foster an environment of trust, security, and stability in the agricultural sector. This step reinforces the central government’s commitment to ensuring profitable prices for farmers.
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