AGRICULTURE INITIATIVES IN UNION BUDGET 2025-26
The Union Budget 2025-26 emphasizes agriculture as a key driver of India’s economic growth.
Several measures have been announced to boost productivity, improve farmer income, and enhance rural resilience.
The Economic Survey 2024-25 highlights a 5% annual growth in agriculture from 2016-17 to 2022-23.
The introduction of the National Mission on High-Yielding Seeds has raised concerns about monoculture and biodiversity loss.
Key Agricultural Initiatives in Budget 2025-26
National Mission on High-Yielding Seeds
Aim: To increase agricultural productivity through improved seed varieties.
Focus Areas:
- Develop new, high-yielding seed varieties.
- Improve resistance to pests and climate stress.
- Ensure easy access to high-quality seeds for farmers.
Target:
Introduce 100+ new seed varieties, including:
- 23 cereals
- 11 pulses
- 7 oilseeds
Establishment of Makhana Board in Bihar
- Objective: Support makhana (fox nut) production, processing, and marketing.
- Farmers to benefit through Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and government schemes.
National Institute of Food Technology in Bihar
- Purpose: Promote food processing in Eastern India.
- Aims to boost value addition, storage, and farmer incomes.
Second Gene Bank for Crop Conservation
- Purpose: Preserve crop genetic diversity for future food security.
- Capacity: Will store 10 lakh germplasm lines.
- First gene bank was established in 1996.
Mission for Cotton Productivity
- Objective: Improve cotton productivity and sustainability.
- Focus on extra-long staple cotton varieties.
- Aligned with 5F principle of the Ministry of Textiles:
- Farm to Fibre
- Fibre to Factory
- Factory to Fashion
- Fashion to Foreign
Sustainable Fisheries Development
- Goal: Establish a sustainable framework for fisheries in:
- Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)
- High Seas
- Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep Islands
- India ranks 2nd globally in fish production and aquaculture.
Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana
- Objective: Improve agricultural productivity in 100 low-productivity districts.
- Key Focus Areas:
- Crop diversification
- Sustainable practices
- Better irrigation and storage
- Improved credit access
- Beneficiaries: 1.7 crore farmers
Mission for Self-Reliance in Pulses
- Duration: 6 years
- Goal: Achieve self-sufficiency in pulse production.
- Focus Crops: Tur, Urad, Masur
Rural Prosperity and Resilience Programme
- Objective: Address under-employment in agriculture through:
- Skill development
- Technology adoption
- Investment in rural areas
- Women’s financial independence
- Target Groups: Rural women, young farmers, and small farmers
Grameen Credit Score
- Developed by: Public Sector Banks
- Purpose: Improve credit access for Self-Help Group (SHG) members and rural individuals.
Kisan Credit Cards (KCC) Loan Limit Increase
- Modified Interest Subvention Scheme:
- Loan limit raised from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 5 lakh.
- Supports 7 crore farmers, fishermen, and dairy farmers.
High-Yielding Seeds: Benefits & Concerns
What Are High-Yielding Seeds?
- Seeds developed through selective breeding, genetic modification, or advanced techniques.
Benefits
- Higher productivity per unit area.
- Faster growth and better disease resistance.
- Lower resource consumption.
Examples
- Hybrid Rice: PRH 10, Pusa Basmati 1121
- Hybrid Wheat: HD 3086, PBW 725
- Bt Cotton
Concerns
- Promotes monoculture, reducing biodiversity.
- Threatens indigenous seed varieties.
- Increases dependence on corporate seed companies.
Key Findings of Economic Survey 2024-25
Agricultural Growth
- 5% annual growth (2016-23).
- GVA share increased from 24.38% (2014-15) to 30.23% (2022-23).
- Agricultural income grew at 5.23% annually.
Sectoral Performance
Fastest Growth:
- Fisheries: 13.67%
- Livestock: 12.99%
Slowest Growth:
Irrigation Improvements
- Coverage increased from 49.3% (2015-16) to 55% (2020-21).
- Irrigation intensity rose from 144.2% to 154.5%.
- High irrigation states: Punjab (98%), Haryana (94%), UP (84%), Telangana (86%).
- Low irrigation states: Jharkhand, Assam (below 20%).
Way Forward
Promote Biodiversity
- Preserve traditional seed varieties alongside high-yielding seeds.
- Support mixed cropping systems to maintain genetic diversity.
Ensure Ecological Sustainability
- Prevent monoculture farming.
- Encourage crop rotation and polyculture for better soil health and pest control.
Strengthen Research & Development
- Develop climate-resilient and disease-resistant crops.
- Use both traditional and modern breeding techniques.
Leverage Technology
- Use GIS and remote sensing for crop health monitoring.
- Improve early warning systems for pests and diseases.
Mains Question:
- “Discuss the key agricultural initiatives announced in the Union Budget 2025-26 and analyze their potential impact on India’s agricultural productivity and rural economy.” (150 WORDS)