Karnataka to procure sunflower seeds at Rs 7,721 MSP

Minister for Agricultural Marketing Shivanand Patil has issued an order to procure sunflower seeds at a minimum support price (MSP) of Rs 7,721 per quintal for the 2025-26 rabi season. 

The procurement drive will cover 11 districts: Bagalkot, Belagavi, Ballari, Vijayapura, Chamarajanagar, Chitradurga, Gadag, Kalaburagi, Vijayanagara, Raichur and Dharwad. 

The directive was issued on Friday, aligning with the union government’s support price guidelines. It is aimed at preventing distress sales as market prices fluctuate.  

The order also emphasised the use of technical and scientific facilities at rural warehouses to ensure that the quality of seeds is maintained during the 60-day purchase window. 

Patil cautioned the district task force committees to remain vigilant against middlemen. “The procurement centres must not be misused by traders or agencies in the name of farmers. We need a transparent process where daily progress reports are submitted to the state government and the Karnataka State Agricultural Marketing Board,” he stated.