The Union Budget 2025-26 has prioritized agriculture and rural prosperity, with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman unveiling reforms to empower farmers and enhance productivity. A key measure is the expansion of the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) loan limit to ₹5 lakh, aimed at providing better access to credit for investment in modern farming practices and technology.
National Mission on High-Yielding Seeds
The government will launch a National Mission on High-Yielding Seeds to improve access to climate-resilient seed varieties. Over 100 new varieties will be released to enhance pest resistance and crop output, addressing the challenges of climate change and ensuring greater agricultural sustainability.
Self-Reliance in Pulses and Oilseeds
A six-year mission to achieve self-reliance in pulses will focus on toor, urad, and masoor production. This initiative aims to reduce India’s dependency on imports and stabilize the supply chain through R&D and seed development. The ongoing National Mission on Edible Oilseeds will also continue, with a focus on expanding domestic production to meet growing demand.
Digital Infrastructure for Agriculture
The budget introduces a Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) for farmers, designed to streamline crop surveys, land management, and credit access. The initiative will begin with digital crop surveys in 400 districts for the upcoming Kharif season. Over 6 crore farmers will be integrated into a centralized digital land registry over the next three years.
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Support for Fisheries Sector
Recognizing India’s position as a global leader in fisheries, the government will develop a framework to sustainably harness resources in key regions such as the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The budget also allocates funding for the development of Nucleus Breeding Centres for shrimp broodstocks, facilitated through NABARD.
Rural Economic Development and Prosperity
The Rural Prosperity and Resilience Program aims to reduce rural migration by enhancing opportunities for women farmers, smallholders, and youth. The program will provide access to markets, innovation, and capacity-building initiatives to foster economic growth in underserved regions.
With these agriculture initiatives, such as Kisan Credit, Budget 2025-26 seeks to drive long-term agricultural sustainability, improve credit access, and promote self-reliance for India’s farmers and rural communities.
