New Delhi: The Union Budget for 2025-26 has been lauded as a game-changer for India's agricultural sector, with experts and farmer groups praising the government’s strategic focus on rural transformation and productivity enhancement.
 

Strengthening Agricultural Research and Innovation
 

Ajai Rana, Chairman of the Federation of Seed Industry of India (FSII) and CEO of Savannah Seeds, commended the Budget’s emphasis on research and innovation. He underscored the integration of hybrid seed technologies into the National Mission on High-Yielding Seeds as a significant step towards higher crop productivity. Rana also urged the government to restore the 200% income tax deduction on research and development (R&D), emphasizing that such incentives would attract crucial private investments to accelerate the growth of India’s seed industry.
 

Expanding Financial Access for Farmers
 

Enhanced credit access through the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) scheme has also been welcomed. Rana highlighted that the revised scheme will enable 7.7 crore farmers, fishermen, and dairy farmers to secure short-term loans with an increased limit of ₹5 lakh. “This financial support will bolster their ability to invest in productivity-enhancing inputs and improve their overall livelihoods,” he stated.
 

Raghavan Sampathkumar, Executive Director of FSII, applauded the six-year mission targeting pulses and oilseeds, including tur, urad, and masoor. He pointed out that this initiative would enhance domestic food security and cut reliance on imports. “By ensuring stable pricing for farmers and promoting the development of climate-resilient seeds, the government is fostering a sustainable agricultural ecosystem. Additionally, structured procurement agreements with NAFED and NCCF will play a vital role in price stabilization,” Sampathkumar explained.
 

The government’s push to uplift 100 low-productivity districts through the PM Dhan Dhanya Krishi Yojana received praise from Dr. KC Ravi, Chief Sustainability Officer at Syngenta India. He highlighted that the initiative’s focus on crop diversification, storage enhancement, irrigation expansion, and improved credit access would pave the way for more sustainable and profitable farming. “The government has demonstrated a clear commitment to addressing gaps in the agricultural sector while harnessing new opportunities for growth,” Dr. Ravi remarked.
 

Empowering Rural Youth Through Agri-Entrepreneurship
 

The Budget’s vision for rural youth has been another highlight. Susheel Kumar, Country Head and Managing Director of Syngenta India, emphasized the significance of investing in skill development and agri-entrepreneurship. “With 345 million young people in rural areas, fostering technology adoption and entrepreneurial ventures in agriculture will harness India's demographic dividend, reduce the rural-urban divide, and create new pathways for prosperity,” Kumar said.
 

Farmers also expressed optimism about the Budget’s sectoral allocations. Kishore Jaiswal, a progressive farmer from Bihar and Director of Programs at the Society for Watershed and Rural Development (SWARD), highlighted the government’s support for the cotton and textile industries. He also welcomed the establishment of a special Makhana Board in Bihar, which is set to enhance production, marketing, and value addition in the sector. “This is a timely intervention that will strengthen domestic production and improve market linkages,” Jaiswal noted.
 

A Vision for Sustainable Agricultural Growth
 

With a clear focus on innovation, financial empowerment, and rural development, the Union Budget 2025-26 has laid a strong foundation for the future of Indian agriculture. By addressing core challenges while fostering new opportunities, the government’s roadmap signals a transformative phase for farmers, agribusinesses, and the broader rural economy.

BI Bureau