Union Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Tuesday, 5 May 2025 approved an additional outlay of ₹4,886.46 crore to procure sunflower and gram at the minimum support price (MSP), benefiting farmers in Karnataka and Maharashtra, according to an official statement. The move is aimed at shielding agricultural producers from distress sales amid unfavourable market conditions.

Sunflower Procurement in Karnataka

Approving a proposal from the Karnataka government, Chouhan sanctioned the procurement of 9,023 metric tonnes of sunflower under the Price Support Scheme (PSS) for the Rabi 2026 season. The total MSP value of this approval exceeds ₹69.66 crore. The decision is expected to ensure that sunflower farmers in Karnataka receive fair and remunerative prices for their produce, the statement said. This is particularly significant for growers who often face pressure to sell below market value due to weak demand cycles.

Gram Procurement Extended in Maharashtra

In a separate decision, the Union Minister approved a proposal from the Maharashtra government to increase the maximum procurement quantity of gram under the PSS to 8,19,882 metric tonnes for the Rabi 2025–26 season. The total MSP value of this decision exceeds ₹4,816.80 crore, the statement noted. The government has also extended the procurement period for gram in Maharashtra by 30 days, allowing purchases to continue until 29 May. The extension is intended to benefit farmers who were unable to sell their produce within the earlier deadline.

Why This Matters for Farmers

The combined outlay of ₹4,886.46 crore represents one of the larger single-day MSP disbursement approvals of the current agricultural season. Notably, distress sales remain a chronic concern in both Karnataka and Maharashtra, where gram and oilseed farmers frequently encounter price crashes at harvest time. By expanding procurement limits and extending timelines, the Centre seeks to create a more predictable environment for agricultural producers. This comes amid ongoing political pressure on the government to demonstrate concrete support for the farm sector ahead of state-level elections.

Government's Stated Position

The Centre has maintained that ensuring remunerative prices for farmers remains a key policy priority. According to the official statement, these decisions are expected to not only provide direct financial relief but also reinforce farmer confidence in the procurement system. Minister Chouhan indicated that expanding MSP operations and providing timely support are central to enhancing income stability and promoting long-term sustainability in the agricultural sector. Industry observers note that effective implementation — particularly at the mandi level — will determine whether the announced procurement limits translate into actual farmer benefit.

What Happens Next

Procurement operations under the extended timeline are set to run until 29 May in Maharashtra, while Karnataka's sunflower procurement is slated for the Rabi 2026 season. State government agencies will be responsible for on-ground implementation, and the Centre is expected to monitor offtake data to assess whether the expanded limits are fully utilised.