Relief for Farmers: Central Government Extends Maize MSP Procurement Deadline to April 30
Following requests from the Maharashtra state government, the Centre has extended the deadline for purchasing maize at Minimum Support Price (MSP) until April 30, 2026. Food and Civil Supplies Minister Chhagan Bhujbal stated that this move will benefit thousands of pre-registered farmers whose produce was still pending for collection.
In a major development for maize growers across Maharashtra, the Central Government has officially extended the deadline for Minimum Support Price (MSP) procurement under the Kharif Marketing Season 2025-26 to April 30, 2026. Announcing the decision on April 13, 2026, State Food and Civil Supplies Minister Chhagan Bhujbal highlighted that the extension specifically applies to farmers who have already pre-registered for the scheme. Initially, the deadline for coarse grains like jowar, bajra, and maize was February 28, which was later extended to March 31. However, since a large volume of registered stock remained unpurchased, the state government pushed for this further 30-day window.
The extension comes with strict quality and operational guidelines from the Centre. Minister Bhujbal emphasized that all maize purchased must undergo rigorous quality certification to ensure it is fit for human consumption. Furthermore, any stock that does not meet the Fair Average Quality (FAQ) norms will not be accepted into the central pool, and the responsibility for such stock will rest solely with the state government. This mandate aims to maintain high standards for grain distributed through the public distribution system (PDS).
To prevent hoarding and ensure transparency, the government has directed that the purchased stock must be distributed before the commencement of the next marketing season. The administration has adopted a "First-In, First-Out" (FIFO) principle for stock management to ensure that older grain is distributed first and to avoid recycling issues. District Supply Officers across the state have been instructed to immediately resume procurement activities following these new orders.
Minister Bhujbal has urged all state agencies to strictly adhere to both central and state guidelines during the process. With market prices for maize often fluctuating below the government-guaranteed price, this extension provides a vital safety net for farmers in regions like Marathwada and North Maharashtra. By securing an MSP sale, farmers can avoid "distress selling" to private traders and ensure a better return on their investment for the current season.
