Emphasizing ‘Agriculture as the first engine’ for India’s development journey, Union Budget 2025-26 tabled in Parliament on February 1, 2025 by Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, announced a slew of measures to spur agricultural growth and productivity, thereby benefitting the Annadata.

Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana’ to cover 100 Low Agricultural Productivity districts: The Union Budget announced ‘Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana’ in partnership with states covering 100 districts to increase productivity, adopt crop diversification, augment post-harvest storage, improve irrigation facilities, and facilitate availability of long-term and short-term credit.

 Comprehensive multi-sectoral ‘Rural Prosperity and Resilience’ programme to be launched: The Programme will be launched in partnership with states to address underemployment in agriculture through skilling, investment, technology, and invigorating the rural economy. The goal is to generate ample opportunities in rural areas, with focus on rural women, young farmers, rural youth, marginal and small farmers, and landless families.

“Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses” with a special focus on Tur, Urad And Masoor to be launched: The Government will launch a 6-year “Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses” with special focus on Tur, Urad and Masoor. Central agencies (NAFED and NCCF) will be ready to procure these 3 pulses, as much as offered during the next 4 years from farmers.

Comprehensive Programme for Vegetables & Fruits: A comprehensive programme to promote production, efficient supplies, processing, and remunerative prices for farmers will be launched in partnership with states. Appropriate institutional mechanisms for implementation and participation of farmer producer organizations and cooperatives will be set up.

 Makhana Board to be established in Bihar: Setting up of the Makhana Board will improve production, processing, value addition, and marketing of makhana as well as support the people engaged in these activities to be organized into Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs). The Board will provide handholding and training support to makhana farmers and also work to ensure they receive the benefits of all relevant Government schemes.

National Mission on High Yielding Seeds to be launched: A National Mission on High Yielding Seeds will be launched with an aim to strengthen the research ecosystem, targeted development and propagation of seeds with high yield, pest resistance and climate resilience, and commercial availability of more than 100 seed varieties released since July 2024.

Five- Year Mission for Cotton Productivity announced: The mission will facilitate significant improvements in productivity and sustainability of cotton farming, and promote extra-long staple cotton varieties. The mission will benefit lakhs of cotton growing farmers as the best of science & technology support will be provided to farmers. The mission will help in increasing incomes of the farmers as well as ensure a steady supply of quality cotton for rejuvenating India’s traditional textile sector.

Kisan Credit Card Loan Limit Raised from Rs. 3 lakh to Rs. 5 lakh: Noting the importance of Kisan Credit Cards (KCC) in facilitating short term loans for around 7.7 crore farmers, fishermen, and dairy farmers, the Budget announced the enhancement of loan limit under the Modified Interest Subvention Scheme from Rs. 3 lakh to Rs. 5 lakh for loans taken through the KCC.

12.7 Lakh Metric Tons Urea Plant to be set up at Namrup, Assam: This will further augment urea supply and help to achieve Atmanirbharta in urea production, along with the recently reopened three dormant urea plants in the Eastern region.

Andaman & Nicobar And Lakshadweep Islands will be the Special Focus of the New Framework for Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries
India ranks second-largest globally in fish production and aquaculture with the Seafood exports valued at Rs. 60 thousand crore. The Government will bring in an enabling framework for sustainable harnessing of fisheries from Indian Exclusive Economic Zone and High Seas, with a special focus on the Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep Islands, which will unlock the untapped potential of the marine sector.

2^nd Gene Bank with 10 Lakh Crops Germplasm Lines to be set up: To provide conservation support to both public and private sectors for genetic resources and ensure future food and nutritional security, the second Gene Bank with 10 lakh germplasm lines will be set up.