Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday announced a host of new measures, some rebranding in the agriculture sector with a clear focus on what India needs most- fight climate change impact and attain self-sufficiency in pulses. The minister also announced a hike in loan amounts for Kisan Credit Cards from ₹3 lakh to ₹5 lakh.

“Our government will undertake a Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PM-DDKY) in partnership with states. Through the convergence of existing schemes and specialized measures, the programme will cover 100 districts with low productivity, moderate crop intensity and below average credit parameters,” she said presenting the Budget for 2025-26.

PM-DDKY aims to enhance agricultural productivity, adopt crop diversification and sustainable agricultural practices, augment post harvest storage at a panchayat and block level, improve irrigation facilities and facilitate availability of long term and short term credit, she said. Further, the programme is likely to help 1.7 crore farmers, she said.

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Incorporating best practices

Building rural prosperity and resilience, a comprehensive multi-sectoral rural prosperity and resilience programme will be launched in partnership with the states, she announced amid thumping of desks by MPs. This will address underemployment in agriculture through skilling, investment, technology and integrating the rural economy as the goal is to generate ample opportunities in rural areas so that migration is an option but not a necessity, she said.

“The programme will focus on rural women, young farmers, rural youth, marginal and small farmers and landless families, she said asking MPs to refer to details mentioned in the Annexure in the Budget document. Global and domestic best practices will be incorporated and appropriate technical and financial assistance will be sought from multilateral development banks, she said and added that 100 developing agri-districts will be covered in phase I.

Highlighting that the government has already rolled out the national mission for edible oil (oilseeds) for achieving Atmanirbhata in edible oils as farmers can grow enough for the country’s requirement, the Finance Minister said Atmanirbhata in Pulses is the next focus.

NAFED, NCCF to procure

“Ten years ago, we made concerted efforts and succeeded in achieving near self-sufficiency in pulses. Farmers responded to the need by increasing the cultivated area by 50 per cent and government arranged for procurement and remunerative prices. Since then, with rising incomes and better affordability, our consumption of pulses has increased significantly,” she explained and announced launch of a six-year mission for Atmanirbhata in Pulses with a special focus on Tur (pigeon peas), Urad (black gram) and Masur (lentil).

Central agencies such as NAFED and NCCF will procure these three pulses as much as offered by farmers who register with these agencies and enter into agreements, she said.

Stressing that Indians are increasingly becoming aware of their nutritional needs, she said it is a sign of a society becoming healthier. “With rising income levels, the consumption of vegetables, fruits and Shri Anna is increasing significantly. A comprehensive program to promote production, efficient supplies, processing and remunerative prices for farmers will be launched in partnership with the states. Appropriate institutional mechanisms for implementation and participation of farmer producer organizations (FPOs) and cooperatives will be set up,” she said.

Mission on high-yielding seeds

As Bihar is going to have assembly elections later this year, she announced a Makana Board to be set up in the state to improve production, processing, value addition and marketing of Makana. The people engaged in these activities will be organized into FPOs. The Board will provide hand-holding and training support to Makana farmers and will also work to ensure they receive the benefits of all relevant government schemes

She also said a national mission on high-yielding seeds will be launched. Aimed at strengthening research ecosystem, targeted development and propagation of seeds with high yield, pest resistance and climate resilience and commercial availability of more than 100 seed varieties released since July 2024, the programme is seen to bridge the gap between laboratory and field.

She also said as India ranks second largest globally in fish production and aquaculture with seafood exports valued at ₹60,000 crore, “our government will bring in an enabling framework for sustainable harnessing of fisheries from Indian Exclusive Economic Zone and high seas with a special focus on the Andaman and Nicobar and Lakshadweep Islands” to unlock the untapped potential of the marine sector.

She also said “I am pleased to announce a mission for cotton productivity. This five-year mission will facilitate significant improvements in productivity and sustainability of cotton farming and promote extra-long staple cotton varieties,” for the benefit of lakhs of cotton-growing farmers.

For Atma Narbhata in urea production, the government will set up a plant with annual capacity of 12.7 lakh tonnes at Namrup in Assam.

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