Market Dynamics: Rajasthan’s Agri-Sector Navigates Price Fluctuations and MSP Realities

Cereal Sector: A Tale of Two Trends

The data highlights a stark contrast within the cereal category. Wheat, the region's agricultural backbone, remains robust with a market price of ₹2,586.37 per quintal, comfortably exceeding its MSP of ₹2,425.00. Similarly, Barley (Jau) has maintained a positive trajectory, trading at ₹2,097.86 against an MSP of ₹1,980.00.

However, the situation for coarse grains is less optimistic:

• Bajra (Pearl Millet): Despite an MSP of ₹2,775.00, market prices have slumped to an average of ₹2,008.18, leaving a gap of nearly ₹760 per quintal for local farmers.

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• Maize: Trading at ₹1,570.98, it significantly lags behind its ₹2,400.00 MSP, despite substantial arrivals of over 302 metric tonnes.

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• Paddy (Common): Stands as the high-performer in terms of value, fetching ₹3,425.00 per quintal, well above the ₹2,369.00 floor price, supported by massive trade volumes exceeding 12,000 metric tonnes.

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Oilseeds and Fibre Crops: Mixed Results

The oilseed sector is witnessing a period of volatility. While Mustard remains a profitable venture for growers—fetching ₹6,060.10 against an MSP of ₹5,950.00—other key crops are struggling:

• Groundnut: Market rates are hovering around ₹6,271.91, falling short of the ₹7,263.00 MSP.

• Soyabean: Prices have dipped to ₹5,125.01, slightly below the official ₹5,328.00 benchmark.

In the fibre category, Cotton remains stable, trading at ₹7,723.06, marginally above its MSP of ₹7,710.00, indicating a balanced supply-demand equilibrium for the textile raw material.

Economic Implications

This price disparity underscores the ongoing challenges in Rajasthan’s agricultural procurement and market integration. While the high arrivals of Paddy and Wheat suggest strong supply chains for these staples, the underperformance of Bajra and Maize highlights the need for more robust procurement interventions to protect the income of dryland farmers. As the season progresses, the administrative focus will likely shift toward ensuring that the MSP serves as a true safety net rather than a distant target.