The 2025-26 Union budget reflects a balanced approach, aiming to foster growth, innovation, and sustainability. The budget introduces several strategic initiatives and enhancements that promise to uplift the agricultural landscape and support farmers across the country with broad themes, with a crop and region-specific focus.
Emphasis on Diversification and Innovation
One of the standout features of this budget is its strong emphasis on diversification and innovation. The significant increases in allocations for the Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying and the Department of Fisheries highlights the government’s commitment to broadening the agricultural base. By focusing on livestock, dairy, and fisheries, the budget aims to create new income streams for farmers and reduce dependency on traditional crops.
The Department of Agriculture Research & Education also sees a boost, underscoring the importance of research and development in driving agricultural innovation. In the face of climate change, the focus on R&D is a crucial step for developing climate-resilient and high-yielding crop varieties, which are essential to sustain agricultural productivity
Strengthening Farmer Support
Key schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-Kisan) and the Modified Interest Subvention Scheme (MISS) continues to receive robust support, ensuring that farmers have access to direct income support and affordable credit. These schemes play a vital role in stabilizing farm incomes and provide financial security, enabling farmers to invest in better inputs and technologies.
Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna (RKVY) sees a significant increase, reflecting the government’s focus on state-level agricultural development. The scheme is also instrumental in addressing region-specific agricultural challenges and promoting holistic growth across different states.
New Initiatives for Sustainable Growth
The budget introduces several new initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable agricultural practices and enhancing productivity. The National Mission on Natural Farming receives a substantial increase, highlighting the government’s commitment to promoting eco-friendly farming techniques. This mission is expected to encourage farmers to adopt practices that improve soil health, reduce chemical usage, and enhance long-term sustainability.
The introduction of missions for pulses, vegetables, and fruits, as well as the Cotton Technology Mission, reflects a targeted approach to boosting productivity and reducing import dependency. These initiatives aim to enhance production, improve supply chains, and ensure remunerative prices for farmers, thereby contributing to overall agricultural prosperity.
Technological Advancements and Infrastructure Development
The budget also places a strong emphasis on technological advancements and infrastructure development. The NAMO DRONE DIDI initiative, with its focus on promoting drone-based agricultural solutions, is a step towards modernizing farming practices. Drones can play a crucial role in precision farming, helping farmers optimize input usage, monitor crop health, and reduce costs.
Infrastructure development is another key focus area, with the establishment of a new urea plant in Assam and the revival of dormant plants in the Eastern region. These initiatives aim to ensure a stable supply of fertilizers, reducing import dependency and above all stabilizing input costs for farmers.
Enhancing Financial Access and Regional Development
Enhanced credit availability through the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) scheme, with an increased loan limit, is a significant move towards improving financial access for farmers. This initiative is expected to reduce dependency on informal lending and provide farmers with the necessary capital to invest in their agricultural activities.
Regional development is also a priority, with initiatives like the establishment of the Makhana Board in Bihar and the Western Koshi Canal Project in Mithilanchal. These projects aim to boost regional agricultural strengths, improve irrigation facilities, and enhance farm productivity, contributing to the overall development of these areas.
Conclusion
Budget 2025 is growth-focused keeping in mind the country’s fiscal health while unlocking India’s real potential, with a strong emphasis on agriculture as a key engine of India’s future. Impact of the 2025-26 budget on the agriculture sector presents a promising path forward, with a balanced mix of continuity and innovation. While maintaining support for key schemes that provide financial stability to farmers, the budget introduces new initiatives to create real value.
Overall, the budget lays a strong foundation for the future, addressing both immediate needs and long-term challenges for continued growth and development of India’s agriculture sector to make India the food basket of the world, while driving resilience of the rural economy.
Leave a Reply