Minimum Support Prices (MSP) | NABARD ARD Notes and eBooks | Download PDF
Minimum Support Prices (MSP) | NABARD ARD Notes and eBooks | Download PDF

Minimum Support Prices (MSP) Notes for NABARD Exam

NABARD ARD Notes: Minimum Support Prices (MSP) in India. The NABARD Grade A Exam is one of the most prestigious regulatory body exams in India. The Agriculture and Rural Development (ARD) section is a crucial part of this exam, carrying significant weightage. The ARD section is a major scoring area in the NABARD Grade A Exam, contributing 40% weightage in Phase 1 (Prelims) and 100 marks in Phase 2 (Mains). To ace this section, candidates need well-structured NABARD ARD Notes and PDFs that cover all essential topics comprehensively. The NABARD ARD Notes cover various topics related to Indian agriculture, rural economy, and allied sectors.

One of the best ways to prepare for NABARD ARD section is by using NABARD ARD Notes. At Let’s Study Together (LST) we understand our students’ requirements and keep them in mind, So the LST Team start a series of “NABARD ARD Notes and PDFs” which cover various topics related to Agriculture and Rural Development.

NABARD ARD Notes: Minimum Support Prices (MSP) in India

The Minimum Support Price (MSP) is the pre-announced price at which the government purchases crops from farmers if market prices fall below this threshold. It is determined by the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) and approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA). MSP ensures that farmers receive a remunerative price for their produce, safeguarding them against distress sales. The government primarily procures crops like wheat, rice, pulses, and oilseeds through agencies such as the Food Corporation of India (FCI) and NAFED.

What is Minimum Support Price (MSP)?

Minimum Support Price (MSP) is the price at which the government purchases crops from farmers, irrespective of the market fluctuations. It acts as a safety net, ensuring that farmers get a fair price for their agricultural produce. The MSP is announced by the Government of India before the sowing season based on recommendations from the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP). The MSP is intended to prevent distress sales and to stabilize farm income.

Objectives of Minimum Support Prices (MSP)

The key objectives of MSP include:

  1. Price Stability: Preventing drastic price drops during surplus production.
  2. Income Security: Ensuring farmers receive a fair price for their crops.
  3. Food Security: Maintaining buffer stocks for Public Distribution System (PDS).
  4. Crop Diversification: Encouraging farmers to grow pulses and oilseeds to reduce import dependency.
  5. Risk Mitigation: Protecting farmers from market uncertainties and climate risks.
  6. Ensuring Farmers’ Welfare: Provides assured income to farmers to mitigate financial risks.
  7. Encouraging Agricultural Production: Encourages farmers to cultivate specific crops, ensuring food security.
  8. Price Stabilization: Prevents sharp price fluctuations in the agricultural market.
  9. Preventing Distress Sales: Protects farmers from selling their produce at unreasonably low prices.
  10. Boosting Rural Economy: Ensures economic stability in rural areas by promoting agricultural growth.

Crops Covered Under Minimum Support Prices (MSP) System:

India’s Minimum Support Price (MSP) regime encompasses 23 crucial crops across four major categories, representing about 75% of the country’s total cropped area. This coverage is strategically designed to ensure food securitynutritional balance, and economic stability for millions of farmers. Let’s examine each category in detail:

Crops Covered Under Minimum Support Prices (MSP) System

The government announces MSP for 23 crops divided into the following categories:

  1. Cereals: Paddy (Rice), Wheat, Maize, Barley, Jowar, Bajra, Ragi
  2. Pulses: Gram, Arhar (Tur), Moong, Urad, Masur (Lentil)
  3. Oilseeds: Groundnut, Sunflower, Soybean, Sesame, Niger seed, Mustard
  4. Commercial Crops: Sugarcane, Cotton, Jute, Copra

Minimum Support Prices (MSP) eBook PDF

Understanding Minimum Support Prices (MSP) is crucial for NABARD Grade A aspirants, as it impacts agricultural economics, farmer welfare, and food security. While MSP has been instrumental in supporting farmers, reforms are needed to address its limitations. Today we are providing you detailed notes eBook PDF on Minimum Support Prices (MSP) in India. Below you can find table of content of this eBook-

  • What is Minimum Support Price (MSP)?
  • Latest Minimum Support Price
  • Objectives of Minimum Support Prices (MSP)
  • Minimum Support Price (MSP) – Historical Perspective
  • MSP Calculation and Procurement Mechanism
  • Need for Minimum Support Prices (MSP) in Indian Agriculture
  • Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP): India’s MSP Architect
  • Crops Covered Under Minimum Support Prices (MSP) System
  • Significance of Minimum Support Prices (MSP) in Indian Agriculture
  • Key Challenges of Minimum Support Prices (MSP) in India

Download below detailed eBook on Minimum Support Prices (MSP) in India-

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These notes are often available in PDF format, making them easily accessible for quick revisions and last-minute preparations. They are curated by experts, ensuring accuracy and relevance to the latest exam pattern.

NABARD ARD Notes & Free eBooks

NABARD ARD Notes & PDFs are indispensable for NABARD Grade A aspirants. They provide a structured, time-saving, and effective way to master the Agriculture and Rural Development section. By using updated and well-researched notes, candidates can boost their scores and enhance their chances of cracking the exam.

NABARD ARD Notes & Free eBooks
Cropping Systems Minimum Support Prices (MSP) Water Conservation
Rural Development Organizations in India Basics of Agriculture Impact of Climate Change on Agriculture
Agricultural Markets Farm & Agricultural Engineering Types of Farming
Horticulture Animal Husbandry Krishi Vigyaan Kendras
Fisheries Agricultural Credit System Agriculture Finance
Food Security in India Agricultural Organisations Irrigation Management
Institutional Financing Agencies Types of Soil More…….

A Complete Book for NABARD Agriculture & Rural Development (ARD) 2025

At Let’s Study Together (LST) we understand our students’ requirements and keep them in mind, So the LST Team created a Very special “A Complete Guide of Agriculture and Rural Development ARD Book for NABARD Grade A Exam – 2000+ Questions with Detailed Answers” to crack NABARD Grade A & B Prelims 2025.

NABARD ARD Book 2025

NABARD ARD Practice Questions 

The Agriculture & Rural Development (ARD) section is a high-weightage section in the NABARD Grade-A exam. In real exam difficulty level of NABARD Grade A ARD Questions are moderate to high, but with consistent preparation, you can score well. With the right preparation, candidates can score well in this section, boosting their overall rank. Below you can practice with NABARD Grade-A ARD Questions –

NABARD ARD Practice Questions
ARD Practice Set-1 ARD Practice Set-2 ARD Practice Set-3
ARD Practice Set-4 ARD Practice Set-5 More- Click Here
NABARD Grade A: Important Links
NABARD Grade A 2025 Official Notification Best Books for NABARD Grade A & B Exam Preparation 2025 How to Prepare For NABARD Grade A Exam
NABARD Grade A & B Previous Year Questions Paper (2015-2024) NABARD Grade A Online Mock Tests & eBooks 2025 NABARD ESI eBook 2025
Decision Making eBook 2025 NABARD ARD eBook 2025

More…..

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Minimum Support Prices (MSP)

What is the Minimum Support Price announced by the government of India for the wheat crop for the 2025-26 agricultural marketing season?

Rs 2425 per quintal, an increase of Rs 150 compared to last year.

Who decides the MSP in India?

The CACP (Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices) recommends MSP, which is approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA). The government of India introduced Minimum Support Crop (MSP) for selected crops in 1966-67. The government announces it before the Kahrif and Rabi season.

Is the MSP same for the entire country??

There is no draft stating the regional Minimum Support Price, thus, the same MSP is followed for crops across the country.

How many crops are covered under MSP?

MSP is announced for 23 crops, including cereals, pulses, oilseeds, and commercial crops.

What is the formula for calculating MSP?

MSP is calculated based on factors like cost of production, demand-supply balance, international prices, and input costs. MSP is based on A2+FL cost, ensuring a 50% profit margin as per the Swaminathan Committee recommendation.

Why is MSP important for farmers?

MSP ensures a guaranteed price, preventing farmers from selling their produce at distress prices due to market fluctuations.

What is the difference between MSP and Market Price?
  • MSP: Government-guaranteed price to protect farmers.
  • Market Price: Actual price determined by demand and supply.
Does MSP lead to inflation?

Excessive MSP hikes can contribute to food inflation, but it also stabilizes farmer incomes.

What are the alternatives to MSP?

Alternatives include Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), Price Deficiency Payment (PDP), and Market Assurance Scheme (MAS).

What are the challenges faced by MSP?

Challenges include limited procurement, fiscal burden, market distortions, and exclusion of small farmers from procurement benefits.