Patna: In a landmark decision, the Bihar government has started the purchase of lentils (masoor), chickpeas (chana), and mustard (sarso) at the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for the first time in the state. The procurement began on 10 April 2026, following approval from the Central Government. This initiative is expected to significantly boost farmers’ income and encourage higher production of pulses and oilseeds.
Direct Benefit to Farmers
The MSP procurement of pulses and oilseeds will directly benefit farmers by ensuring fair prices for their produce. The MSP for masoor has been set at ₹7,000 per quintal for the Rabi marketing season 2026-27.
Along with masoor, the government will also procure:
- Chana: 16,750 metric tons
- Mustard: 28,000 metric tons
This step ensures that farmers receive competitive prices, which can substantially improve their income and incentivize cultivation of high-value crops.
Boosting Pulses Production
The Bihar government is prioritizing pulses and oilseeds production under its “Seven Nischay-3” program. The Agriculture Department has set an ambitious target for the next five years:
- Expand pulses cultivation area from 4.48 lakh hectares to 9.19 lakh hectares
- Increase production from 3.93 lakh metric tons to 11.27 lakh metric tons
To achieve this, the state plans to strengthen processing and marketing infrastructure, including the establishment of pulses processing units. Various schemes under the Agriculture Roadmap are designed to encourage farmers to adopt pulses cultivation, aiming for self-reliance in pulses production.
Subsidized High-Quality Seeds for Farmers
To support the expansion of pulses cultivation, Bihar has prepared a seed production roadmap, which includes:
- 45,922 quintals of certified seeds
- 2,043 quintals of foundation seeds
- 1,15,742 quintals of high-quality seeds available to farmers at subsidized rates
This initiative is expected to cover approximately 4.14 lakh hectares, helping farmers access quality seeds for higher yield and productivity.
MSP Procurement Targets
Under this historic initiative, the Bihar government aims to procure:
- 32,000 metric tons of masoor
- 16,750 metric tons of chana
- 28,000 metric tons of mustard
The MSP procurement is designed to stabilize prices, reduce market fluctuations, and provide a reliable income source for farmers, supporting the government’s vision of agricultural self-sufficiency.
With the first-ever MSP procurement of masoor, chana, and mustard, Bihar is taking a significant step toward improving farmers’ income and boosting pulses and oilseeds production. This move reinforces the government’s commitment to farmer welfare and self-reliant agriculture.
Read also: Bihar Chief Secretary Orders Fast-Track Implementation of AIIMS Darbhanga and Key PMG Projects
