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[news_id] => 4886
[news_heading] => Govt approves INR 4,886 Cr MSP support for sunflower, gram farmers
[language_id] => 1
[parent_id] => 0
[full_story] => NEW DELHI, 15 May 2026: In a major step aimed at protecting farmers from distress sales and ensuring remunerative prices for agricultural produce, the Union Government has approved Minimum Support Price (MSP) procurement support worth over INR 4,886 crore for sunflower farmers in Karnataka and gram growers in Maharashtra.
The decisions were approved by Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development, under the Price Support Scheme (PSS).
The measures are expected to strengthen farmer confidence, improve income stability, and provide relief amid fluctuating market conditions.
Sunflower Procurement Approved for Karnataka Farmers
The Centre has approved the procurement of 9,023 metric tonnes of sunflower in Karnataka for the Rabi 2026 marketing season.
The total MSP value of the approved procurement exceeds INR 69.66 crore.
The decision comes in response to a proposal submitted by the Karnataka government and is intended to protect sunflower farmers from low market prices and distress sales.
By enabling procurement at MSP, the government aims to ensure fair compensation for farmers while stabilising the oilseed sector.
Key Benefits for Karnataka Farmers
The move is particularly significant for small and marginal farmers who often face challenges in securing fair market prices during peak harvest periods.
In another major decision, the Centre approved an increase in the maximum procurement limit for gram (chana) in Maharashtra to 8,19,882 metric tonnes for the Rabi 2025–26 season.
The total MSP value of this procurement exceeds INR 4,816.80 crore.
The government has also extended the procurement period by an additional 30 days, allowing procurement operations to continue until May 29, 2026.
The extended procurement window is expected to help farmers who were unable to sell their produce within the earlier procurement timeline.
The decision will:
The Union Government stated that the decisions are aimed at safeguarding farmers from distress sales caused by weak market prices and procurement limitations.
By increasing procurement limits and extending procurement timelines, the Centre is attempting to create a more predictable and farmer-friendly agricultural marketing ecosystem.
The measures are also expected to improve liquidity in rural areas while supporting the broader agricultural economy.
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare has been focusing on strengthening MSP operations across key crops and states.
The government reiterated that ensuring remunerative prices for farmers remains a top policy priority.
Key Objectives of the MSP Expansion
The approvals for sunflower procurement in Karnataka and expanded gram procurement in Maharashtra are expected to provide direct financial support to thousands of farmers while reinforcing trust in the MSP system.
The decisions also signal the government’s continued emphasis on farmer welfare, price assurance, and strengthening India’s agricultural economy through timely policy interventions.
Image credit: thebetterindia.com
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