The ₹1.32 lakh crore agriculture budget dedicates itself to improving the lives and development of farmers.
“This Union Budget is an epic that will accomplish the dream of a Developed India (Viksit Bharat). It is a budget for achieving both national resolve and social prosperity. The budget for a developed India is dynamic. Inspired by the Prime Minister’s foresight and vision, this Budget will build a solid foundation for a self-reliant, empowered, and prosperous India by 2047. This Budget is writing a new chapter by bringing about significant change in the lives of farmers, youth, women, and those with limited opportunities – the four foundations of the nation.
A budget for women, youth, farmers, impoverished people, and villages
The Union Budget has been prepared keeping in mind villages, the poor, farmers, youth, and women. The programs put in place under Prime Minister Modi’s direction have been steadily reducing poverty and this Union Budget is crucial from the standpoint of helping the impoverished become self-sufficient.
“Lakhpati Didi” and “SHE-Mart” are significant steps in the direction of rural women becoming businesswomen.
The success of the ‘Lakhpati Didi’ plan, the Union Budget has given provisions for Self-Help Entrepreneurs through ‘SHE-Mart’. Under this initiative, community-owned retail outlets will be set up in every district as a platform to sell products made by women, where items produced by Self-Help Groups and rural women will gain access to new markets. According to him, the fundamental goal of this project is for women who work in agriculture, animal husbandry, and other fields to become entrepreneurs rather than being restricted to subsistence livelihoods.
21% increase in Rural Development financial support;
The Rural Development Ministry’s budget has been boosted by 21 per cent this year. Noted that when the budgets of the Rural Development and Agriculture departments are combined, the total budget of the Rural Development and Agriculture ministries has now crossed ₹4,35,779 crore, indicating the government’s commitment to villages and farmers.
The “Viksit Bharat G Ram G” initiative alone has been allocated more than ₹1.51 lakh crore, including state contributions, within the overall Rural Development budget. In reference to MGNREGA, he stated that the Center’s contribution alone has climbed to more than ₹95,692 crore, whereas the total MGNREGA budget was previously approximately ₹86,000 crore. With the addition of the states’ contribution, the overall grant will reach ₹1.51 lakh crore, which he hailed as “historic and unprecedented.”
Double direct assistance to panchayats is an important milestone towards developed and self-reliant villages
The 16th Finance Commission’s most recent ruling will directly pay around ₹55,900 crore to panchayats. The panchayats had received roughly ₹2.36 lakh crore directly during the previous five years, but that amount has now climbed to about ₹4.35 lakh crore, about twice as much.The Minister expressed confidence that the ₹55,900 crore to be received under the Finance Commission and the ₹1.51 lakh crore allotted under the “Viksit Bharat G Ram G” scheme will play an unprecedented role in creating developed, self-sufficient, employment-oriented, and poverty-free villages.
A substantial increase in the budget for agriculture, a significant emphasis on research, and affordable fertilizers
The agriculture department’s budget has been enhanced to ₹1,32,561 crore this year. He stated that ₹9,967 crore has been set aside for agricultural education and research, namely for the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), which will boost innovation and research.
Regarding the fertilizer subsidy, a ₹1,70,944 crore subsidy has been given to guarantee the availability of reasonably priced fertilizers, lowering production costs and providing relief to farmers.
Direct benefits to farmers through the National Fibre Scheme and medicinal plants
The National Fibre Scheme focuses on fibres like silk, wool, and jute, which will directly assist farmers in these industries. Additionally, he stated that rules pertaining to the Ministry of AYUSH’s accreditation and export of medicinal plants will boost the earnings of farmers who grow these plants.
Along with traditional crops, clear provisions have been made for high-value crops such as coconut, cocoa, cashew, and sandalwood. The budget includes plans for planting new orchards and revitalizing existing coconut farms. specific arrangements have been established to increase the production of fruits and vegetables and to facilitate their smooth movement to consumers, so that farmers get better pricing and consumers get easier access.