Page 32 - NIS English 16-28 Feb, 2026

COVER STORY BUDGET
UNION

2026-27

Empowering agriculture

Fulfilling

Farmers’ Dreams

The Central Government has always given
top priority to India’s agriculture, dairy
sector, and fisheries. In this year’s budget,
several important steps have been taken for
farmers involved in the cultivation of coconut,
cashew, cocoa, and sandalwood. Promoting
entrepreneurship in fisheries and animal
husbandry will create more employment and
self-employment opportunities in villages...

₹1,70,944 crore has been provided as a subsidy to
make fertilisers and manure available at
affordable prices, reducing production costs
and providing relief to farmers.

High-Value Agriculture Bharat-VISTAAR
Government will support cultivation of high-value crops: n The Central Budget proposes Bharat-VISTAAR. This is a
multilingual AI tool that shall integrate the AgriStack portals and
n Support for high-value crops like coconut, the ICAR package on agricultural practices with AI systems.
sandalwood, cocoa, and cashew in coastal areas.
n A Coconut Promotion Scheme is proposed to Increased Budget for Rural Development Department
n The budget for the Rural Development Department has
enhance competitiveness in coconut production. been increased by 21 percent this year. The combined
n Agarwood trees in the Northeast and nut- budget of the Rural Development and Agriculture
bearing fruits like almonds, walnuts, and apricots Departments, under the Ministry of Rural Development
in hilly areas will be promoted. and Agriculture, now exceeds Rs. 4,35,779 crore.
n A dedicated programme for Indian cashew n The budget for the Agriculture Department has been
and cocoa is proposed to transform them into increased to Rs. 1,32,561 crore this year. A provision of
premium global brands by 2030. Rs. 9,967 crore has been made for agricultural education
and research. This will boost research and innovation.
Increasing Farmers’ Income
n To increase farmers’ income, fisheries, the n The National Fibre Scheme focuses on fibres such as
integrated development of five hundred silk, wool, and jute. This will directly benefit the farmers
reservoirs and Amrit Sarovars, animal husbandry, associated with these fibres.
and high-value agriculture will be promoted. Several incentives proposed for the cooperative sector
n Deduction allowed for the supply of cattle feed and cotton
seeds produced by primary cooperative societies.
n Inter-cooperative society dividend income is allowed as a
deduction under the new tax regime.

30 NEW INDIA SAMACHAR || February 16-28, 2026