The Central Government has approved a significant increase in the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for key rabi crops for the 2025-26 marketing season, as announced by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. This decision, aimed at benefiting farmers ahead of Diwali and upcoming state elections, includes a Rs 150 per quintal increase for wheat, Rs 300 for mustard, and Rs 210 for gram, among others. The new MSPs are Rs 2,425 for wheat, Rs 5,950 for mustard, Rs 5,650 for gram, Rs 5,940 for safflower, Rs 6,700 for lentil, and Rs 1,980 for barley. This aligns with the Union Budget 2018-19's goal of setting MSP at least 1.5 times the All-India weighted average cost of production, ensuring remunerative prices and encouraging crop diversification.