Impact Assessment of Minimum Support Price (MSP) on Wheat and Cotton Cultivation: A Comparative Study of Hisar and Faridabad Districts, Haryana

This study examines the impact of the Minimum Support Price (MSP) on crop area, production, and yield of wheat and cotton in Hisar and Faridabad districts of Haryana. Using secondary time-series data from 2004–05 to 2021–22, the analysis compares MSP trends with physical output indicators across two contrasting agro-economic regions: the agrarian core of Hisar and the peri-urban landscape of Faridabad. Trend analysis reveals a consistent upward movement in MSP for both crops, while area, production, and yield exhibit considerable volatility. The findings indicate that MSP has a limited direct influence on productivity and output, functioning primarily as an income-support and risk-mitigation mechanism. Crop performance is largely shaped by agro-climatic conditions, irrigation availability, pest incidence, and structural factors such as urbanisation. The study highlights the spatially differentiated effectiveness of MSP and underscores the need for region-specific, integrated agricultural policy interventions.