Has made agriculture engine of rural prosperity, resilience

The Budget outlines measures for irrigation, soil health management, and climate-adaptive technologies to protect farmers from economic shocks

- NAVEEN P SINGH, PRINCIPAL SCIENTIST, ICAR-NIAP, DELHI

UDGET FY26 HAS aimed to revitalise India's agricultural and allied sectors by addressing key structural challenges and introducing targeted reforms. Building on the previous year's allocation of ₹1.52 trillion, this Budget prioritises increasing access to affordable credit, expanding crop insurance, and promoting agri-value chains. A highlight is the increase in the limit of subsidised farm loans from ₹3 lakh to ₹5 lakh per farmer.

First, a concern addressed in this Budget is food inflation, which has been persistently high, crossing 10% year-on-year in late 2024. To tackle this, the government has extended duty-free imports of pulses and imposed selective export restrictions to maintain price stability. However, structural reforms, such as improving MSP implementation and ensuring fair farmer remuneration, remain crucial areas.