Key agricultural initiatives in Union Budget 2025-26
Context:
Recently, in the Union Budget 2025-26, agriculture was highlighted as the first engine for India’s development journey
Relevance:
GS-03 (Economy)
Dimensions of the Article:
- Union Budget 2025-26: Key Agricultural Initiatives
- Conclusion
Union Budget 2025-26: Key Agricultural Initiatives
- Boost for Makhana Production: Makhana Board in Bihar to enhance production, processing, and marketing.
- Bihar produces 90% of India’s Makhana.
- National Institute of Food Technology to be set up in Bihar to support food processing.
- Mission for Cotton Productivity: The mission aims to improve cotton yield and boost sustainability.
- It is a 5-year mission.
- It aligns with the 5F principle: Farm to Fibre, Fibre to Factory, Factory to Fashion, Fashion to Foreign.
- Financial Support for Farmers:
- Kisan Credit Card (KCC) Loan Limit Raised: Increased from ₹3 lakh to ₹5 lakh under the Modified Interest Subvention Scheme.
- Grameen Credit Score: Public Sector Banks will develop a rural credit framework for Self-Help Group (SHG) members.
- This will benefit 7.7 crore farmers, dairy farmers, and fishermen.
- Gene Bank for Future Food Security
- India’s second Gene Bank (first established in 1996) to be set up for food and nutritional security.
- The newly proposed gene bank can store 10 lakh germplasm lines to preserve crop diversity.
- Sustainable Fisheries Development: India is the 2nd largest global producer in fisheries and aquaculture. With the new policies, the government has decided to create Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ) and high seas with special focus on Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep Islands.
- Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana: It targets 100 low-productivity districts to improve:
- Crop diversification
- Sustainable farming
- Better storage, irrigation, and credit access
- Expected to benefit 1.7 crore farmers.
- National Mission on High Yielding Seeds: The mission focuses on developing high-yielding seeds with better pest resistance and climate resilience. It also plans to introduce 100+ new seed varieties, including cereals, pulses, and oilseeds.
- Mission for Self-Reliance in Pulses: It is a 6-year mission to make India self-sufficient in pulse production.
- The focus is on crops like Tur, Urad, and Masur.
- Rural Prosperity and Resilience Programme: Multi-sector initiative for rural employment and agricultural modernisation.
- Focus on: women farmers, young farmers, and small farmers.
- Technology, skilling, and investment for job creation.
Conclusion
The Union Budget 2025-26 prioritises agricultural productivity, self-reliance, and rural development. With improved seeds, better financial support, and modernisation efforts, the government aims to make Indian agriculture more resilient and sustainable.
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