Agri focus shifts to allied sector

Proposed initiatives aim at high-value agriculture, animal husbandry, women-led rural enterprises

- SANJEEB MUKHERJEE

The focus of the Budget is more on the allied sectors of agriculture rather than core crops, with special emphasis on high-value plantation crops such as coconut, cocoa, cashew, sandalwood, and also fisheries — announcements that have a bearing on the southern states going to the polls.

Allocation for agriculture and allied activities was projected to grow 7.1 per cent in the Budget estimates of FY27 as against the revised estimates of FY26. This is when overall spending in the sector, according to the revised estimates, dropped 4.4 per cent as compared to the Budget estimates of FY26.

Commentators said several of the big-ticket announcements minister made in last year’s Budget, such as boosting oilseeds and pulses production, found little mention this time while there was minor tinkering in allocation with no major big-bang announcement for the sector.

“Agriculture has been left dependent on increasing productivity. But a farmer's income increases not just by increasing production but through fair prices for their crops and the Budget fails to address this vital part,” said Dharmendra Malik, national spokesperson for the Bhartiya Kisan Union (apolitical).

Meanwhile, the minister proposed initiatives aimed at benefiting farmers by focusing on high-value agriculture, animal husbandry, veterinary professionals, and particularly women-led rural enterprises.