The Union Budget 2025-26, presented by Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, introduces several initiatives aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity and fostering rural prosperity. Key proposals include:

Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana

Inspired by the success of the Aspirational Districts Programme, the government will launch the ‘Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana’ in partnership with states. This initiative targets 100 districts with low productivity, moderate crop intensity, and below-average credit parameters. The program aims to:

• Enhance agricultural productivity
• Promote crop diversification and sustainable practices
• Improve post-harvest storage at the panchayat and block levels
• Upgrade irrigation facilities
• Facilitate access to long-term and short-term credit

This initiative is expected to benefit approximately 1.7 crore farmers.

Rural Prosperity and Resilience Programme

A comprehensive ‘Rural Prosperity and Resilience’ program will be launched in collaboration with states to address under-employment in agriculture through skilling, investment, technology, and invigorating the rural economy. The program focuses on:

• Empowering rural women, young farmers, rural youth, marginal and small farmers, and landless families
• Catalyzing enterprise development and financial independence for rural women
• Creating new employment and business opportunities for young farmers and rural youth
• Modernizing agriculture to improve productivity and warehousing, especially for marginal and small farmers
• Diversifying opportunities for landless families

Global and domestic best practices will be incorporated, with technical and financial assistance from multilateral development banks. In Phase-1, 100 developing agri-districts will be covered.

Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses

Building on efforts to achieve self-sufficiency in edible oils, the government will launch a 6-year “Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses,” focusing on Tur, Urad, and Masoor. The mission emphasizes:

• Development and availability of climate-resilient seeds
• Enhancing protein content
• Increasing productivity
• Improving post-harvest storage and management
• Assuring remunerative prices to farmers

Central agencies like NAFED and NCCF will be prepared to procure these pulses from registered farmers over the next four years.

Comprehensive Programme for Vegetables and Fruits

Recognizing the growing awareness of nutritional needs, the government proposes a comprehensive program to promote the production, efficient supply, processing, and remunerative pricing of vegetables and fruits. This initiative aims to:

• Enhance the availability of nutritious produce
• Ensure fair prices for farmers
• Reduce post-harvest losses

Grameen Credit Score Framework

To better serve the credit needs of Self-Help Group (SHG) members and the rural population, public sector banks will develop a ‘Grameen Credit Score’ framework. This system aims to:

• Assess the creditworthiness of rural borrowers
• Facilitate easier access to credit
• Promote financial inclusion

By leveraging data on financial behavior and transaction histories, the framework will enable banks to make informed lending decisions, thereby empowering rural communities and fostering economic growth.

These initiatives reflect the government’s commitment to strengthening the agricultural sector and enhancing the livelihoods of the rural population.

Source: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2098401