The Union Budget 2025-26 emphasized ‘Agriculture as the first engine’ for India’s development.
- The Economic Survey 2024-25 reported robust 5% annual growth in the agriculture sector (2016-17 to 2022-23).
- Concerns were raised over the National Mission on High-Yielding Seeds, citing risks of monoculture and loss of crop diversity.
Agricultural Initiatives in the Union Budget 2025-26
- National Mission on High-Yielding Seeds
- Focus on productivity, resilience to pests, and climate adaptability.
- Development of 100+ new seed varieties (23 cereals, 11 pulses, 7 oilseeds, etc.).
- Ensuring easy access to high-yielding seeds for farmers.
- Rural Prosperity & Resilience Programme
- Addresses under-employment in agriculture via skilling, investment, and technology.
- Prioritizes rural women, youth, and small farmers.
- Food Processing
- Establishment of National Institute of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship & Management in Bihar.
- Gene Bank
- Second gene bank (first in 1996) with 10 lakh germplasm lines.
- Ensures future food and nutritional security.
- Mission for Cotton Productivity
- 5-year plan to boost cotton yield and sustainability.
- Promotes extra-long staple cotton varieties.
- Aligns with the 5F principle (Farm to Fibre to Factory to Fashion to Foreign).
- Sustainable Fisheries Framework
- Targets EEZ and High Seas with a focus on Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep.
- India is the 2nd-largest global producer in fisheries and aquaculture.
- PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana
- Aims to increase productivity in 100 low-productivity districts.
- Focuses on crop diversification, irrigation, credit, and storage.
- Expected to benefit 7 crore farmers.
- Mission for Self-Reliance in Pulses
- A 6-year program for self-sufficiency in Tur, Urad, and Masur
- Makhana Board in Bihar
- Supports production, processing, and marketing of makhana.
- Empowers farmers through FPOs and government schemes.
- Grameen Credit Score & Kisan Credit Cards (KCC)
- Public Sector Banks to develop Grameen Credit Score for rural credit needs.
- KCC loan limit raised from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 5 lakh, benefiting 7 crore farmers.
Agricultural Findings of Economic Survey 2024-25
- Growth Trends: 5% annual growth (2016-23); GVA share increased from 24.38% (2014-15) to 30.23% (2022-23).
- Sector Performance:
- Fisheries grew 67% (highest).
- Livestock grew 99%.
- Oilseeds grew 9% (slowest).
- Irrigation:
- Coverage increased from 3% (2015-16) to 55% (2020-21).
- High irrigation states: Punjab (98%), Haryana (94%), UP (84%), Telangana (86%).
- Low irrigation states: Jharkhand & Assam (<20%).
Way Forward
- Preserve traditional seed varieties alongside high-yielding seeds.
- Prevent monoculture farming, encourage crop rotation and polyculture.
- Develop drought, flood, and pest-resistant crops.
- Use GIS and remote sensing for crop monitoring and early warnings.
