Union Budget 2025-26: Focus on Agriculture
The Union Budget 2025-26, presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, highlighted significant measures aimed at the agricultural sector. The budget seeks to enhance productivity, support farmers, and ultimately benefit consumers.
Prime Minister Dhan-Dhanya Krishi Yojana
- Inspired by the aspirational districts programme.
- Aims to converge existing schemes and introduce specialized measures in 100 low-productivity districts.
- Objectives include:
- Increasing productivity.
- Enhancing crop diversification.
- Improving availability of long- and short-term credit.
- Expected to benefit 17 million farmers, primarily those from the lower income bracket.
Self-Sufficiency in Pulses
- A six-year mission focusing on tur (pigeon pea), masoor (lentil), and urad (black grams).
- Central-government agencies will procure pulses for four years from farmers under agreement.
- Incentivizes farmers to grow more, potentially moving away from the wheat-paddy cycle in states like Punjab and Haryana.
Other Agricultural Initiatives
- National mission on high-yielding seeds and improving cotton productivity.
- Programme for fruit and vegetable consumption patterns.
- Proposal for a Makhana Board in Bihar.
- Development framework for the fisheries sector.
Credit and Financial Support
- Increase in the loan limit of Kisan Credit Card from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 5 lakh.
- Modified interest-subvention scheme to support approximately 77 million farmers.
Rural Prosperity and Resilience Programme
- Focus on skilling, use of technology, and investment.
- Partnership with states to enhance rural development.
Budget Allocation
- Agriculture and allied sectors see a 22% budget increase, totaling about Rs 1.71 trillion.
- Recognized as one of the four engines of development, with nearly half of India's workforce dependent on agriculture for livelihood.
- Enhanced production and productivity aim to boost income and drive overall demand.
- Attention to agriculture should balance with the need to shift the workforce to other sectors.
Inflation and Research Concerns
- Higher agricultural production aims to stabilize consumer prices.
- Weather-related challenges necessitate increased research and development.
- Marginal increase in allocation for Agricultural Research and Education noted as a shortcoming.
