The Centre on Wednesday announced the minimum support prices (MSP) for rabi crops way ahead of schedule amid poll preparations in Punjab and Uttar Pradesh and a raging farmer's agitation that is on its nine month and has assurances on MSP as one of its demands.

A bigger surprise is the measly hike of Rs 40 in wheat MSP compared with increases up to Rs 400 per quintal for oil seeds and pulses.

Farm leaders said the hike in wheat is at a decade low and does not take into account increased input cost because of a rise in diesel price.

Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh are the major pulse growing states. Punjab and Haryana have also taken it up in a big way with increased acreage under pulses over the years. Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Maharashtra are the big players in oil seeds.

MSP for mustard seeds has been increased by Rs 400 to Rs 5,050 per quintal in the current crop year. MSP of barley has been hiked Rs 35 to Rs 1,635 per quintal from Rs 1,600 per quintal in the previous year.

Among pulses, MSP for gram has been increased Rs 130 to Rs 5,230 per quintal and lentil (masur) Rs 400 to Rs 5,550 per quintal. MSP for safflower has been raised Rs 114 to Rs 5,441 per quintal from Rs 5,327 per quintal.