This year, the union budget mentioned agriculture as the ‘first engine’. Indeed, agriculture is the core sector in India. Agriculture provides food and nutrition to sustain basic life and is a major source of income for most of the rural population. The food-based industries such as food processing plants further provide income to many more.

The budget announced three missions. ‘Mission for Atmanirbharta in Pulse’, ‘National Mission on High Yielding Seeds’, and ‘Mission for Cotton Productivity’. The Mission on Pulse highlights the readiness of central agencies to procure three types of pulses (Tur, Urad, and Masoor) as much as offered. The Mission of High-Yielding Seeds includes the components of propagation, pest resistance, climate resilience, and commercial availability of about 100 seed types. The Mission for Cotton Productivity will help in improving the productivity and sustainability of cotton farming.

The ‘Rural Prosperity and Resilience’ programme aims at generating economic opportunities in rural areas through skill development and investments. The loan limit in the Kissan Credit Card (KCC) is increased to INR 5 Lakhs from INR 3 Lakhs. The budget also announced the ‘Prime Minister Dhan Dhaanya Krishi Yojna’ which covers a broad range of agricultural activities and components. The budget also includes a comprehensive programme for fruits and vegetables.

The budget announces the establishment of the Makhana Board in Bihar to improve the production, processing, and marketing of Makhana. A Urea plant shall be established in Assam, aiding the Atmanirbhar Bharat. An enabling framework for sustainable harnessing of fisheries from Indian Exclusive Economic Zone and High Sea shall be developed with a focus on Andaman & Nicobar Islands, and Lakshadweep Islands.

Union Budgets are the key stepping stone for the improvement of any sector. Implementation of the Missions and Programmes provides further direction. Improvement in the Agriculture sector directly influences the lives of those associated with crop cultivation, marketing, processing industry, dairy, and fisheries.

(views are personal. The article is based on the information available at https://pib.gov.in/newsite/unionbudget2025.aspx.)