In order to encourage farmers to plant more of the staple in the ongoing rabi or winter-sown season, the government has raised minimum support price (MSP) for wheat by Rs 50 to Rs 1,450 per quintal. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) chaired by the Prime Minister has approved the MSP for rabi crops in the 2014-15 season to be marketed in 2015-16.
The government also announced the support prices of other Rabi crops. The MSP for other Rabi Crops of 2014-15 season to be marketed in 2015-16 is as follows. Barley Rs 1,150 per quintal - an increase of Rs 50 over last year; gram Rs 3,175 per quintal - an increase of Rs 75 over last year; masur Rs 3,075 per quintal - an increase of Rs 125 over last year: rapeseed/mustard Rs 3,100 - a hike of Rs 50 over last year and safflower Rs 3,050 per quintal - an increase of Rs 50 over last year.
The Congress-led UPA had announced Rs 50 hike in wheat taking up the wheat MSP to Rs 1,400 per quintal from Rs 1,350 a quintal a year back.