Jalandhar, Oct. 3 -- Even as the central government has approved the highest ever increase of Rs.160 per quintal in wheat's minimum support price (MSP), the Punjab farmer unions have termed it as mere peanuts at a time when the state's agricultural sector is faced with a crisis, especially after the floods ravaged the paddy crop. They said the MSP should be based on the Swaminathan commission's recommendations.

On Wednesday, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) announced revised MSPs for winter-sown (rabi) crops for the 2025-26 marketing year under which the wheat MSP has been revised from Rs.2,425 to Rs.2,585 (a hike of 6.59%). The committee has also mentioned Rs.1,239 as the expected cost of wheat production per quintal tha...