Union Budget 2025-26: Boosting Agriculture and Research
Hello, farmer friend! The Union Budget 2025-26, rolled out by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on February 1, 2025, puts agriculture at the forefront, calling it India’s “first engine” of growth. With unpredictable weather throwing curveballs at your fields, this budget brings fresh ideas and builds on past efforts to support your farm through agriculture and research. Let’s break it down in a way that’s easy to follow, so you can see what’s in store for you.
Table Of Content
- 1. Food Support During Tough Times
- 2. More Money for Your Crops
- 3. Researching Tougher Seeds
- 4. Natural Farming Keeps Rolling
- 5. Bio-Input Centers for Green Farming
- 6. Growing Pulses and Oilseeds Your Way
- 7. Digital Tools to Ease Your Work
- 8. Shrimp and Fisheries Support
- 9. Weekly Markets on the Horizon
- 10. Cooperatives for Rural Strength
- 11. Better Water and Land Help
- 12. Skills for You and Your Family
- 13. New Research for Your Fields
- 14. What This Means for Your Farm
- Stay in the Know
1. Food Support During Tough Times
The Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) gives free food grains to over 80 crore people and was extended for five years in the 2024-25 budget, running until 2029. The union budget 2025-26 doesn’t mention a new extension, so it’s likely still active. This helps keep rural families fed when times get rough, which can lighten the load on farming communities.
2. More Money for Your Crops
Minimum Support Prices (MSPs) for Rabi crops got a boost in October 2024—wheat up by Rs 150 per quintal, mustard by Rs 300 per quintal, and lentils by Rs 275 per quintal. Last year aimed for a 50% margin over costs, but this year doesn’t confirm it. It’s a step toward better earnings, though rising costs for seeds and labor might still be a hurdle.
3. Researching Tougher Seeds
The 2024-25 budget kicked off with 109 climate-resilient varieties of 32 crops, and the 2025-26 budget ramps this up with the National Mission for High-Yielding Seeds. Over 100 new high-yielding, pest-resistant varieties have rolled out since July 2024. This research could mean your crops stand stronger against droughts and pests, giving you more reliable harvests.
4. Natural Farming Keeps Rolling
Last year’s plan to bring one crore farmers into natural farming over two years, with certification and branding, continues in union budget 2025-26 without extra funding. This can cut your chemical costs and enrich your soil, but the lack of new support might slow its reach to more farms like yours.
5. Bio-Input Centers for Green Farming
The 2024-25 budget aimed to set up 10,000 bio-input resource centers for organic farming supplies. The union budget 2025-26 stays quiet on their progress, leaving some uncertainty. If they’re up and running, you could tap into organic fertilizers and advice, but we’re waiting for clearer updates.
6. Growing Pulses and Oilseeds Your Way
The Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses, a new six-year program, targets Tur, Urad, and Masoor, building on last year’s focus on pulses and oilseeds like mustard and soybean. NAFED will buy directly from you for four years, locking in fair prices. Vegetable clusters near cities are also expanding, making it simpler to sell your produce.
7. Digital Tools to Ease Your Work
The Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) for agriculture, started in 2024-25, keeps growing. It includes digital crop surveys in 400 districts and registries for six crore farmers over three years. Kisan Credit Cards are expanding with loans up to Rs 5 lakh, offering easier access to funds. That said, getting comfortable with these tools might take a little practice.
8. Shrimp and Fisheries Support
The 2024-25 budget’s backing for shrimp farming through NABARD continues, with a new push for sustainable fisheries in Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep. With a goal of Rs 60,000 crore in seafood exports, this could open a new income stream if you’re near the coast, though it’s not for everyone.
9. Weekly Markets on the Horizon
The 2024-25 plan to set up 100 weekly haats in cities over five years carries on, but the union budget 2025-26 offers no new updates. These markets could let you sell straight to buyers, but the slow pace might mean they’re not in your area just yet.
10. Cooperatives for Rural Strength
The National Cooperation Policy from last year keeps supporting cooperatives for rural jobs and growth. The union budget 2025-26 doesn’t add new funds, which might limit its reach. Cooperatives can help you join forces with others for better sales, but more investment would speed things up.
11. Better Water and Land Help
With Rs 2.66 lakh crore for rural development, the Western Koshi Canal in Bihar will irrigate 50,000 hectares, bringing more water to your fields. Land reforms, like unique IDs for parcels and digitized maps, are ongoing, making loans and government aid easier to get.
12. Skills for You and Your Family
The Rural Prosperity program, building on last year’s labor reforms, targets 100 agri-districts to teach skills like using farming tech. This can open new income paths for you and your loved ones, but it needs to reach remote areas to truly shine.
You can also connect with other farmers at events like AgriTech India 2025 in Bengaluru, happening August 2025, to learn new skills hands-on. This program can open new income paths, but it needs to reach remote areas to truly shine.
13. New Research for Your Fields
The Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana targets 1.7 crore farmers in 100 low-productivity districts, focusing on higher yields through research and sustainable practices. A Makhana Board in Bihar boosts production and marketing, while a Cotton Productivity Mission pushes extra-long staple cotton. A new urea plant in Namrup, Assam, with a 12.7 lakh metric ton capacity, aims to cut fertilizer imports, potentially easing your costs.
14. What This Means for Your Farm
The Union Budget 2025-26 boosts agriculture and research with new seeds, digital tools, and water projects to help you thrive. Higher MSPs and pulses support can lift your income, while targeted programs like the Makhana Board offer tailored help. However, a 2.5% budget cut (from Rs 1.41 lakh crore to Rs 1.37 lakh crore) and no updates on natural farming or haats suggest some plans might lag. These efforts hold promise, but their success depends on reaching you effectively. Stay tuned to local news for the latest!
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