Agriculture: 1st Engine of Growth

Agriculture is the backbone of India's economy, providing employment to nearly 45% of the workforce. The Union Budget 2025-26 identifies agriculture as the first engine of growth, with a strong focus on productivity, sustainability, rural prosperity, and financial inclusion.

Key Initiatives & Schemes

1. Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana

Objective:

• Develop 100 low-productivity districts to boost agricultural growth.

• Improve credit availability, crop intensity, and post-harvest management.

Key Features: 

✅ Convergence of existing schemes.

✅ Special focus on irrigation & credit facilities.

✅ Crop diversification & sustainable practices.

✅ Expected to benefit 1.7 crore farmers.

2. Rural Prosperity and Resilience Programme

Objective: Address underemployment in agriculture and enhance rural livelihoods.

Key Features: 

🌱 Employment generation through skilling.

🚜 Support to rural youth, marginal farmers, and women.

🏡 Reduced rural migration by creating local opportunities.

🔬 Incorporation of global & domestic best practices.

3. Aatmanirbharta in Pulses

Objective: Achieve self-sufficiency in pulse production.

Key Features: 

🌾 Special focus on tur, urad, and masoor dal.

📈 50% increase in cultivated area over the last decade.

🏦 National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd (NAFED) & National

🌾Cooperative Consumers Federation of India (NCCF) to procure pulses for 4 years.

📊 Impact Analysis:

Factor	Before Initiative	After Initiative (Expected)
Pulses Import	High	Reduced
Farmer Income	Low	Increased
Crop Yield	Low	Improved

4. Comprehensive Programme for Vegetables & Fruits

Objective: Enhance nutritional security & farm incomes.

Key Features: 

🥦 Encouragement of horticulture & Shree-Anna crops.

🏭 Strengthening supply chains & processing industries.

🤝 Participation of FPOs & cooperatives.

5. Makhana Board in Bihar

Objective: Boost Makhana production & processing in Bihar.

Key Features: 

✅ Organized FPOs for Makhana farmers.

✅ Value addition & marketing support.

✅ Training & access to government schemes.

🌍 Bihar’s Opportunity:

• India: 90% of world’s Makhana production

• Bihar: Key producer state

• Export potential to global markets

6. National Mission on High Yielding Seeds

Objective: Develop climate-resilient & high-yielding seeds.

Key Features: 

🧬 R&D for pest-resistant crops.

🌾 More than 100 seed varieties to be commercially available.

🚜 Strengthened research ecosystem.

7. Fisheries Development

Objective: Unlock India’s marine sector potential.

Key Features: 

🐟 India: 2nd largest fish producer in the world.

🌊 Focus on Andaman & Lakshadweep for high-seas fisheries.

💰 ₹60,000 crore seafood exports targeted.

8. Mission for Cotton Productivity

Objective: Improve cotton yield & sustainability.

Key Features: 

👕 5-year plan for high-quality, extra-long staple cotton.

🔬 Technology & science-backed support.

📈 Strengthen India’s textile industry (5F Vision: Farm to Fiber to Factory to Fashion to Foreign).

🧵 Impact on Textile Industry:

• Higher income for cotton farmers

• Better-quality raw materials for textiles

• Boosting India’s competitiveness in global markets

9. Enhanced Credit through Kisan Credit Cards (KCC)

Objective: Provide easier & increased credit access.

Key Features:

🏦 Loan limit increased from ₹3 lakh to ₹5 lakh.

🌾 7.7 crore farmers, fishermen & dairy farmers to benefit.

💰 Modified Interest Subvention Scheme for affordability.

10. Atmanirbharta in Urea Production

Objective: Strengthen self-reliance in fertilizer production.

Key Features: 

🏭 New urea plant in Assam (12.7 lakh metric tons annual capacity).

🛠 Reopened 3 dormant urea plants in Eastern India.

🚜 Ensuring availability & affordability for farmers.

11. India Post as a Catalyst for Rural Economy

Objective: Utilize India Post’s vast network for financial inclusion.

Key Features: 

📨 1.5 lakh rural post offices to offer financial & logistics services.

🏦 Integration with India Post Payment Bank.

📈 Credit services to MSMEs & SHGs.

📊 Potential Impact:

Factor	Before	After Initiative (Expected)
Rural Banking	Limited	Expanded
Logistics	Underdeveloped	Strengthened
MSME Support	Fragmented	Integrated

Conclusion: The Future of Agriculture in India

Agriculture’s role in India’s GDP & employment remains critical.Government initiatives are focused on self-reliance, modernization, and financial inclusion. Innovation, credit access, and sustainable practices will define future growth.Aatmanirbharta (Self-Reliance) in Agriculture will drive India towards Viksit Bharat.