Agriculture Hub

Farm Input Cost Calculator
— Full Cost Breakdown Per Acre

Track every rupee: land prep, seed, fertilizer, pesticide, irrigation, labour & transport. Know your A2, A2+FL and C2 cost vs MSP.

📊CACP Cost Benchmark — A2+FL vs MSP (FY 2026-27)

CACP (Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices) estimates used by the Government to set MSP. A2+FL = actual paid-out cost + family labour at market wage.

Crop A2+FL Cost (Rs./qtl) MSP (Rs./qtl) MSP Premium
Wheat1,1282,425+115%
Paddy (Common)1,4552,300+58%
Maize1,1492,225+94%
Cotton (Medium)5,0107,121+42%
Tur / Arhar4,8927,550+54%
Moong5,4168,682+60%
Gram (Chana)3,4125,650+66%
Mustard3,0975,950+92%
Soybean3,1404,892+56%

A2 = actual paid-out cost (seeds, fertilizer, pesticides, hired labour, irrigation). FL = family labour imputed at market wage. C2 additionally includes imputed rent on owned land & asset depreciation. MSP is announced before sowing season; actual procurement depends on state-level infrastructure.

🌾Enter Your Farm Inputs
Select Crop (auto-fills defaults)
Wheat avg: 16–22 qtl/acre (irrigated)
Valued at Rs.500/day (FL component)
Land Preparation
Sowing
Fertilization
Crop Protection
Irrigation
Rs.1,200
Harvesting
Post-Harvest & Marketing
Land & Asset Costs (Optional)
Leave 0 if you own the land
Irrigation infra, tools, etc.
📋Cost Analysis — Per Acre & Total
Total Paid-out Cost (A2)
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per acre
A2+FL Cost
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per acre
Revenue at MSP/Price
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per acre
Net Profit (A2+FL basis)
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per acre
Cost Basis Comparison (per quintal)
A2 Cost/qtl
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Actual paid-out only
A2+FL Cost/qtl
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Incl. family labour
C2 Cost/qtl
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Incl. rent + depreciation
MSP/Price
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Profit margin over A2+FL
Cost Breakdown by Category (per acre)
Visual Breakdown — Sorted by Amount

* Mandi charges calculated on revenue. Total cost shown excludes mandi charges (variable) unless included above.

🎯Farm Viability Analysis
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Viability Score
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💡Cost Reduction Strategies for Indian Farmers
Disclaimer: Input cost benchmarks are indicative based on CACP cost of cultivation studies and state agriculture department data for FY 2026-27. Actual costs vary significantly by region, soil type, crop variety, scale of farming, and prevailing labour rates. This calculator is for planning and educational purposes only — consult your local Krishi Vigyan Kendra or agriculture department for region-specific guidance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average farming cost per acre in India?
Average farming cost per acre varies widely by crop and region. For wheat, total paid-out cost (A2) is typically Rs.8,000–12,000/acre, while for paddy (transplanted) it ranges from Rs.12,000–18,000/acre due to higher labour. Cotton in Vidarbha costs Rs.15,000–22,000/acre because of multiple pesticide applications. CACP estimates for FY 2026-27 put A2+FL cost at Rs.1,128/quintal for wheat and Rs.1,455/quintal for paddy. At 18 quintals/acre, wheat's total cost per acre on A2+FL basis is around Rs.20,000. Land lease rent (if applicable) can add Rs.8,000–20,000/acre — making own-land farming far more profitable than leased-land farming.
What is A2+FL cost and how is it different from C2 cost?
A2 cost is the actual paid-out cost — all cash expenses including seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, hired labour, irrigation charges, machinery hire, and transport to mandi. FL (Family Labour) is imputed at the prevailing market daily wage, ensuring family labour is not treated as free. A2+FL is the cost basis used by CACP to recommend MSP — it is a realistic measure of what farming actually costs including the family's time. C2 cost goes further — it includes imputed rent on owned land (at prevailing lease rate) and depreciation on owned farm assets like tractors, pump sets and implements. The difference between A2+FL and C2 is primarily the rent on owned land, which can add Rs.8,000–20,000/acre. Farmer organisations demand MSP at 1.5× C2, which would yield significantly higher support prices than current levels.
How is MSP related to cost of production?
MSP (Minimum Support Price) is announced by the Government of India before each Kharif and Rabi sowing season, based on CACP recommendations. The current policy provides at least 50% return over A2+FL cost. For wheat in 2026-27, CACP estimated A2+FL at Rs.1,128/quintal and MSP was set at Rs.2,425/quintal — a 115% premium over A2+FL cost, well above the 50% mandate. However, the actual price farmers receive depends on whether government procurement agencies like FCI, CCI and NAFED operate in their region. In states with weak procurement infrastructure, market prices frequently fall below MSP during peak harvest season. MSP benefits mostly wheat (Punjab, Haryana) and paddy farmers with access to government procurement — pulse and oilseed farmers are often unable to sell at MSP due to limited procurement infrastructure.
What is the biggest expense in wheat and paddy farming?
For wheat farming, fertilizers (basal + top dressing) are typically the largest cost at Rs.3,000–4,500/acre, followed by seed (Rs.1,500–2,000 for certified seed), irrigation (Rs.1,200–2,000 for 4–5 waterings), and land preparation (Rs.2,000–3,000). Combine harvesting has become nearly universal in wheat belt states, typically costing Rs.1,800–2,500/acre. For paddy, transplanting labour is the dominant cost in traditional cultivation — Rs.3,000–6,000/acre depending on region and labour availability. This is why Direct Seeding of Rice (DSR) is being promoted aggressively: it replaces transplanting with direct seeding, saving Rs.3,000–5,000/acre. In both crops, land lease rent (if applicable) can exceed all other operating costs combined.
How can small farmers reduce input costs?
Small farmers can reduce input costs through several proven strategies: (1) Soil testing at the nearest KVK or Soil Testing Laboratory (Rs.300–500) gives precise NPK recommendations, reducing over-fertilization by 20–30% and saving Rs.700–1,500/acre. (2) Joining an FPO (Farmer Producer Organisation) enables bulk purchase of seeds and fertilizers at 5–10% discount. (3) Custom Hiring Centres (CHCs) under the SMAM scheme provide tractor and harvester hire at regulated rates 30–50% cheaper than private hire. (4) Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and bio-pesticides can cut chemical pest control costs by 30–40%. (5) On-farm seed production for open-pollinated varieties reduces seed costs by 50–70%. (6) PM-KISAN provides Rs.6,000/year directly to farmer bank accounts — use it to partially fund input costs. Contact your nearest Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) for free agronomic guidance, demonstration plots, and linkages to government schemes.
What is a Custom Hiring Centre and how do I access it?
Custom Hiring Centres (CHCs) are government-subsidised farm machinery hubs set up under the Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanisation (SMAM) scheme by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare. A CHC provides tractors, rotavators, seed drills, sprayers, combine harvesters and other equipment on hire to farmers at government-regulated rates — typically 30–50% cheaper than private hire.

To access a CHC: (1) Visit your nearest Agriculture Department block office or Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) for a list of registered CHCs in your area. (2) Contact the CHC operator at least 3–5 days before the operation to book. (3) Rates are pre-fixed by state governments — tractor ploughing typically Rs.600–900/hour, combine harvester Rs.1,200–1,800/acre. (4) Download the CHC Farm Machinery app (available on Android) to locate and book CHCs online by pincode. NABARD also supports Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) to operate CHCs in many states, making access easier for small and marginal farmers.

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