Centre Approves MSP Procurement of Sunflower, Moong and Soybean in Karnataka for Kharif 2026-27

The Centre has approved the procurement of sunflower, moong and soybean from Karnataka farmers under the Price Support Scheme for the Kharif 2026-27 season, Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy said on Wednesday.

According to Kumaraswamy, the approved procurement quantities include 13,413 metric tonnes of sunflower, 38,250 metric tonnes of moong and 1,15,500 metric tonnes of soybean.

The Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan for what he described as their responsive approach towards Karnataka's farmers.

Kumaraswamy said the approval would provide support to growers by enabling procurement of the three crops at the Minimum Support Price (MSP).

The procurement will be carried out under the Price Support Scheme, with the Centre's approval expected to facilitate purchases of the specified quantities from farmers in the state during the Kharif season.

Separately, Kumaraswamy on Wednesday unveiled and digitally launched the Impact Report of the Ministry of Heavy Industries' Industry Accelerator Project at Navigyaan 2026 in New Delhi.

The event marked the conclusion of the MHI Industry Accelerator Project, which aims to support the development of indigenous technologies for India's mobility and manufacturing sectors.

Addressing the gathering, Kumaraswamy said strengthening domestic technological and manufacturing capabilities was central to the country's broader objective of becoming more self-reliant.

He said the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat requires India not only to remain a major market for advanced technologies but also to develop, manufacture and export them.

The Minister highlighted the Scheme for Enhancement of Competitiveness in the Indian Capital Goods Sector - Phase II, which has a financial outlay of Rs 1,207 crore and is aimed at supporting common technology development and services infrastructure. A total of 33 projects have been approved under the scheme.

The MHI Industry Accelerator Programme, one of the initiatives under the scheme, provided Rs 35.72 crore in grant-in-aid for 10 technologies, supporting their progression from Technology Readiness Level 3 to Level 9.

The technologies covered by the programme include electric powertrains, high-voltage motor control and energy storage systems. Kumaraswamy said an important outcome had been the movement of several technologies from early-stage prototypes towards commercially viable products.

He also stressed the importance of collaboration between the government, industry, research organisations, academic institutions and startups in developing India's technology ecosystem.

Kumaraswamy said government support could provide policy direction and targeted assistance, while industry, research institutions, academia and startups each contribute different capabilities to the development and commercialisation of new technologies.

He also highlighted the role of institutions such as the Automotive Research Association of India in connecting technology development and validation with industrial adoption.

As India works towards the Viksit Bharat@2047 objective, Kumaraswamy said the focus should remain on strengthening domestic capabilities and taking Indian technologies to international markets.