NEW DELHI: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented her eighth budget on Saturday, February 1, 2025, outlining key initiatives planned for the agriculture sector in the coming years.
In her speech, the finance minister announced that the government will launch the Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana in partnership with states. She added, “This scheme will cover 100 districts with low productivity, moderate crop intensity, and below-average credit parameters, benefiting 1.7 crore farmers across India.”
Sitharaman emphasized that to boost domestic production of pulses, a six-year “Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses” will be launched, focusing on Tur, Urad, and Masoor.
“The mission aims to enhance productivity, ensure remunerative prices for farmers, and develop climate-resilient seeds,” she remarked.
Focusing on the Kisan Credit Card (KCC), which facilitates short-term loans for 7.7 crore farmers, fishermen, and dairy farmers, the minister claimed that it will see an increase in the loan limit from ₹3 lahks to ₹5 lakhs under the Modified Interest Subvention Scheme.
Other major schemes and Key announcements Nirmala Sitharam mentioned in the budget for the boost in the agriculture sector are:
Rural Prosperity and Resilience Programme
A comprehensive multi-sectoral ‘Rural Prosperity and Resilience’ programme will be launched in partnership with states to address under-employment in agriculture.
This initiative will promote skilling, investment, and technology adoption to strengthen the rural economy. In Phase 1, 100 developing agri-districts will be covered, ensuring that migration remains a choice, not a necessity.
Agricultural Growth and Rural Development
A Makhana Board will be established in Bihar to improve the production, processing, value addition, and marketing of makhana.
A National Mission on High-Yielding Seeds will be introduced to enhance seed quality and yield.
The Mission for Cotton Productivity will be launched as a five-year programme to improve productivity, sustainability, and promote extra-long staple cotton varieties for the benefit of lakhs of cotton-growing farmers.
A framework for sustainable fisheries will be introduced, focusing on India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and High Seas, with special emphasis on the Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep Islands.
Urea Plant in Assam
The government will set up a Urea plant with an annual capacity of 12.7 lakh metric tons at Namrup, Assam, to boost fertilizer availability and support agricultural productivity.
