India’s agricultural sector, which supports nearly half the population, is shaped by both the promise of seasonal harvests and the perils of unpredictability. Unseasonal rains, droughts, floods, and price fluctuations continue to pose serious threats to farmers’ incomes. For millions of small and marginal farmers, whose livelihoods depend entirely on crop outcomes, these risks can translate into debt, distress sales, or even withdrawal from agriculture altogether.

The Minimum Support Price (MSP) serves as a vital policy instrument. It guarantees a pre-announced price for various crops, ensuring that farmers are shielded from sudden market crashes. MSP reassures them that they will receive a fair return on their produce, even when open market prices fall below cost. This promise enables fa

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