A Comprehensive Guide for Farmers
The recent hike in the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for Rabi crops for the 2025-26 marketing season presents farmers with an excellent opportunity to optimize their crop choices. Understanding which crops to target based on the new MSP values can significantly impact profitability, and a well-thought-out crop strategy is essential for maximizing returns.
In this article, we endeavour to guide readers through which crops the farmers should target or focus on for maximum profit this Rabi season and which ones to avoid due to lower margins. We’ll also suggest crop combinations for better income stability and soil health.
Key Highlights of MSP Increases for Rabi Crops 2025-26
The government has recently announced MSP increases for Rabi crops like wheat, gram, lentil, rapeseed & mustard, barley, and safflower. These hikes in MSP provide farmers with the chance to make informed decisions and plan their cropping system strategically.
Top Profit-Making Crops Based on MSP Increase
Let’s begin by understanding which crops offer the best returns based on the MSP hike.
1. Rapeseed & Mustard
- MSP for 2025-26: ₹5,950 per quintal
- Production Cost: ₹3,011 per quintal
- Profit: ₹2,939 per quintal (98% margin)
Why choose rapeseed & mustard?
Rapeseed & mustard offer the highest profit margin of 98% over the production cost. These oilseed crops thrive in cooler climates and regions with moderate rainfall, such as Rajasthan, Haryana, and parts of Uttar Pradesh. The strong demand for mustard oil and favourable government policies makes this crop highly lucrative. Farmers can confidently focus on rapeseed and mustard to secure stable and profitable returns during this Rabi season.
2. Lentil (Masur)
- MSP for 2025-26: ₹6,700 per quintal
- Production Cost: ₹3,537 per quintal
- Profit: ₹3,163 per quintal (89% margin)
Why choose lentils?
With an 89% profit margin, lentils stand out as one of the most profitable legume crops. Lentils not only provide nutritious food but also contribute to soil health by enriching it with nitrogen. Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh are key regions where lentil cultivation flourishes. For farmers looking for high returns along with crop rotation benefits, lentils are an excellent option this Rabi season.
3. Wheat
- MSP for 2025-26: ₹2,425 per quintal
- Production Cost: ₹1,182 per quintal
- Profit: ₹1,243 per quintal (105% margin)
Why choose wheat?
Wheat remains a pillar of Indian agriculture. The 105% profit margin and the assurance of government procurement make it a reliable crop choice. States like Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh are known for large-scale wheat production. Given its high MSP and the fact that wheat is a staple crop, farmers can depend on it for stable earnings. Additionally, it offers excellent opportunities when combined with other crops.
Suggested Crop Combinations for Maximum Profit
For farmers aiming to optimize returns and maintain soil health, crop combinations are a valuable strategy. Here are some profitable combinations:
1. Wheat + Mustard
Regions: Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana
Why this combination?
Combining wheat and mustard offers farmers a dual advantage. While wheat provides consistent returns due to government procurement, mustard delivers higher profits with its increased MSP. This combination is especially beneficial for areas with cooler winters and moderate water availability, ensuring a balanced and profitable cropping system.
2. Lentil + Mustard
Regions: Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh
Why this combination?
Lentil and mustard together create a symbiotic relationship. Lentils enhance soil fertility by fixing nitrogen, and mustard benefits from this nutrient enrichment. This combination provides not only high profitability but also better soil health for the next planting season. It’s a smart choice for farmers in regions with favourable climates for both crops.
3. Single Crop Option: Mustard
Regions: Rajasthan, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh
Why single crop mustard?
Farmers seeking a single, highly profitable crop should focus on mustard. With a 98% profit margin, mustard leads the profitability race among Rabi crops. Its strong market demand, especially in the edible oil sector, makes mustard cultivation a straightforward choice for maximizing income this Rabi season.
Crops Farmers Should Avoid in Rabi 2024 for Minimum Losses
While focusing on high-profit crops is essential, it is equally important to be cautious of crops with lower returns. Some crops have seen minimal MSP increases or have higher production costs, which can affect farmers’ overall profitability. Here are some crops that farmers may want to reconsider this Rabi season.
1. Safflower
MSP for 2025-26: ₹5,940 per quintal
Production Cost: ₹3,960 per quintal
Profit: ₹1,980 per quintal (50% margin)
Why avoid safflower?
Safflower has the lowest profit margin among Rabi crops, offering only a 50% margin over the production cost. Its limited market demand and relatively high production costs make it less attractive for farmers. Farmers aiming for higher profits may want to skip safflower and focus on more lucrative crops like mustard or lentils.
2. Barley
MSP for 2025-26: ₹1,980 per quintal
Production Cost: ₹1,239 per quintal
Profit: ₹741 per quintal (60% margin)
Why avoid barley?
Although barley offers a 60% profit margin, its overall profit in terms of rupees is significantly lower compared to other crops like mustard and lentils. Barley is also less in demand than wheat or pulses, reducing its profitability. It may still be suitable for specific regions with traditional barley consumption, but it’s not an ideal choice for maximizing income.
3. Gram
MSP for 2025-26: ₹5,650 per quintal
Production Cost: ₹3,527 per quintal
Profit: ₹2,123 per quintal (60% margin)
Why reconsider gram?
While gram provides a decent 60% profit margin, the recent MSP increase is modest compared to other Rabi crops. Farmers with limited land may want to prioritize more profitable crops like mustard or wheat to optimize their earnings.
Key Takeaways for Farmers
- Target high-profit crops: Mustard, wheat, and lentils offer the highest profit margins based on the latest MSP increases. These crops should form the core of your Rabi strategy.
- Use crop combinations for balance: Combinations like wheat + mustard or lentil + mustard provide both income stability and soil health benefits.
- Avoid low-profit crops: Be cautious with crops like safflower, barley, and gram, which offer lower margins compared to high-profit options.
Farmers should evaluate their local conditions, such as climate, soil type, and water availability, before finalizing their cropping plans. By focusing on high MSP crops and utilizing smart crop combinations, you can maximize your profitability this Rabi season.
Reference Links
Department of agriculture and farmers welfare
Minimum Support Price (MSP) 2025-26: Government Official Announcement
Department of food and public distribution
Best Crop Combinations for Rabi Season 2024
Soil Health and Crop Rotation Guide
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