Union Budget 2025 | Feeling the 'pulse' of the nation: Six point push to irrigate agriculture sector

New Delhi: Describing agriculture as one of the engines driving India’s development, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced six new initiatives for the sector while increasing the subsidised Kisan Credit Card loan limit to Rs 5 lakh from the existing Rs 3 lakh.

The government's focus on the farm sector came at a time when a section of farmers were protesting at the Punjab and Haryana border pressing for several demands including legal guarantee to the Minimum Support Price.

The FM announced Pradhan Mantri Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana targeting 100 low-productivity agri-districts. The scheme, implemented with state governments, aims to benefit 1.7 crore farmers through enhanced productivity, crop diversification, and improved post-harvest infrastructure.

To make the country self-reliant in pulses' production, she said a six-year pulses' mission received Rs 1,000 crore to boost tur, urad, and masoor production. Under this initiative, Nafed and NCCF will procure pulses for four years from registered farmers through formal agreements.

The Budget allocated Rs 500 crore each for a comprehensive horticulture programme on vegetables/fruits and a five-year cotton mission promoting extra-long staple varieties.

Sitharaman also announced a comprehensive programme for vegetables and fruits, a Makhana Board, which will be set up in Bihar and a national mission on high yielding seeds.

The announcements came even as the government proposed a 2.75% lower Budget allocation for the agriculture ministry at Rs 1.37 lakh crore for the next fiscal. However, this reduction was offset by enhanced allocations for allied sectors, with fisheries, animal husbandry and dairying seeing a 37 per cent increase to Rs 7,544 crore, and food processing receiving a 56 per cent boost to Rs 4,364 crore.

The total allocations for agriculture, allied sectors, and food processing is pegged at Rs 1.45 lakh crore for 2025-26, expected to surpass the current year's revised estimate of Rs 1.47 lakh crore once allocations for new schemes are detailed.

Recognising India's position as the second-largest global producer in fish and aquaculture, with seafood exports worth Rs 60,000 crore, the government announced a sustainable fishing framework for the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone, particularly focusing on the Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep Islands.

Track Budget reactions LIVE

Union Budget 2025 | Nirmala Sitharaman, as Finance Minister, presented her record 8th Union Budget this time. While inflation has burnt a hole in the pockets of 'aam janata', the Modi govt gave income tax relief for those making up to Rs 12 lakh per year in salaried income. Track the latest coverage, live news, in-depth opinions, and analysis only on Deccan Herald. Also follow us on WhatsApp, LinkedIn, X, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram.