Market Pulse: Haryana’s Paddy Prices Soar Far Above MSP as Pulse Farmers Face Pricing Headwinds

The most striking development remains the performance of Paddy (Common), which has seen market prices nearly double the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of ₹2,369.00 per quintal. Currently trading at an impressive ₹4,241.00, the cereal is commanding a premium that suggests a robust private sector appetite and potentially lower-than-anticipated stock arrivals, which were recorded at just over 70 metric tonnes in the latest window. In contrast, the fibre and oilseed sectors are maintaining a more balanced trajectory. Cotton, with an MSP of ₹7,710.00, is hovering near the ₹7,671.91 mark, indicating a stable equilibrium between industrial demand and farmer expectations. Similarly, Mustard is comfortably exceeding its support price of ₹5,950.00, reaching market valuations of ₹6,200.00, providing a much-needed incentive for oilseed growers in the region.

However, the data paints a more somber picture for Haryana’s pulse cultivators. Green Gram (Moong) is currently facing a significant valuation gap, with market prices languishing at ₹6,480.00 per quintal against an MSP of ₹8,768.00. This disparity of over ₹2,000 per quintal poses a challenge for administrative procurement agencies tasked with ensuring price stability. Bengal Gram is facing a similar, though less drastic, deficit, trading at ₹5,301.00 against its ₹5,650.00 support price. Meanwhile, the vegetable segment continues to exhibit its characteristic volatility; Onion and Tomato prices are showing a downward trend toward the ₹1,600 and ₹2,300 ranges respectively, as arrival volumes for potatoes and tomatoes surged past 200 and 95 metric tonnes, exerting downward pressure on retail and wholesale rates.

This current snapshot of Haryana’s mandis highlights the complex interplay between government intervention and real-time market forces. While the windfall in paddy prices offers a significant boost to cereal farmers, the underperformance of pulses despite high MSPs suggests that logistical hurdles or quality variations may be hindering the intended economic relief for diversely cropped farms. As the season progresses, the ability of state agencies to bridge the gap for pulse farmers while managing the inflationary potential of high-priced cereals will be a critical litmus test for the region's agricultural policy and food security framework.