Union Budget 2025-26: Major Boost for Agriculture with New Missions on Seeds, Cotton, and Makhana

New Delhi: The Union Budget 2025-26, presented in Parliament by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, has placed agriculture at the forefront of India’s development journey with a series of measures aimed at boosting productivity, strengthening research, and supporting farmers.

A key announcement was the establishment of a Makhana Board in Bihar, which will improve production, processing, value addition, and marketing of makhana. The Board will help organize farmers into Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), provide training, and ensure access to government schemes. This initiative aims to enhance income opportunities for makhana farmers, strengthening Bihar’s role as a leading producer.

To enhance agricultural productivity, the government will launch a National Mission on High Yielding Seeds, focusing on research, targeted development, and commercial availability of over 100 high-yield, pest-resistant, and climate-resilient seed varieties released since July 2024. Additionally, a second Gene Bank will be set up to conserve 10 lakh germplasm lines, ensuring future food and nutritional security for both the public and private sectors.

The Finance Minister also announced a five-year Mission for Cotton Productivity, aimed at increasing the yield and sustainability of cotton farming. The mission will support farmers with cutting-edge science and technology and promote extra-long staple cotton varieties. This initiative aligns with the government’s 5F vision (Farm to Fiber to Factory to Fashion to Foreign) for the textile sector and is expected to enhance farmer incomes while supplying high-quality cotton to India’s traditional textile industry.

Recognizing the importance of credit access for farmers, fishermen, and dairy farmers, the loan limit under the Modified Interest Subvention Scheme has been increased from ₹3 lakh to ₹5 lakh for Kisan Credit Card (KCC) loans. This move will provide better financial support to 7.7 crore beneficiaries, ensuring easier access to credit for agricultural activities.

In a major push for self-sufficiency in fertilizer production, the government will set up a new urea plant with an annual capacity of 12.7 lakh metric tons at Namrup, Assam. This follows the reopening of three dormant urea plants in the eastern region, strengthening India’s position in Atmanirbharta in urea production.

India, the world’s second-largest producer of fish and aquaculture products, will see a new sustainable fisheries framework to harness the untapped potential of its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and High Seas. Special focus will be placed on the Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep Islands, boosting seafood exports, which are currently valued at ₹60,000 crore annually.