In the Union Budget 2025-26, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman introduced several initiatives to bolster the agricultural sector and support farmers across India. Key highlights include:
1. PM Dhan Dhanya Krishi Yojana
- Objective: Enhance crop yields and provide financial support to farmers.
- Beneficiaries: Over 10 million farmers nationwide.
2. Makhana Board in Bihar
- Purpose: Promote the production, processing, and marketing of makhana (fox nuts).
- Support: Assistance to farmers through Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), training programs, and access to government schemes.
3. Six-Year Pulses Production Program
- Aim: Reduce dependency on imports by increasing domestic pulses production.
- Strategy: State agencies to procure pulses at guaranteed prices, ensuring fair compensation for farmers.
4. Cotton Production Enhancement
- Focus: Boost production of extra-long staple cotton.
- Method: Provide research support to improve yields and reduce import reliance.
5. National Mission on High-Yielding Seed Varieties
- Goal: Develop and distribute seeds that offer better yields, addressing challenges like shrinking farmland and erratic weather patterns.
6. Increased Agricultural Credit
- Enhancement: Raised the subsidized farm loan limit to provide farmers with greater access to credit.
7. Urea Production Expansion
- Plan: Establish a new urea plant with an annual capacity of 1.2 million metric tons to meet domestic fertilizer demand.
These initiatives reflect the government’s commitment to revitalizing the agricultural sector, ensuring sustainable growth, and improving the livelihoods of farmers across the country.