As the Union Budget 2025 approaches, farmers and agriculture experts are urging the government to prioritize the agriculture sector by boosting funding for agricultural research and advanced technology. This includes additional subsidies on fertilizers, urea, and machinery, aimed at helping farmers increase crop production at reduced costs.
“With over 50% of the population involved in agriculture, it is crucial that the budget allocation reflects this,” said agriculture expert Dharmendra Malik. He emphasized that the PM ASHA budget should be increased threefold, and the overall agriculture budget should see a 10% rise to enhance the income of farmers and laborers.
Experts are optimistic that the government will focus on agriculture, education, and health, driving better outcomes for both farmers and the wider population. Malik further added, “We expect that the government will double the funds for PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi, following previous allocations of 60,000 crore.”
A significant portion of the budget is also expected to be directed toward agriculture research and the development of infrastructure to support cutting-edge agricultural technology.
According to the Economic Survey 2023-24, the agriculture sector has grown at an average annual rate of 4.18% over the past five years. The country has maintained a stable stock of food grains, with about 40% of the stock distributed free of cost to two-thirds of the population. Additionally, India exports more than 7% of its food grains, contributing positively to the national economy.
The Economic Survey highlights the role of digitization in agriculture, which is expected to help farmers make more informed decisions. It also outlines welfare schemes such as PM Gareeb Kalyan Yojana (PMGKAY), the National Food Security Act (NFSA), and India’s food management program, which includes procurement and distribution.
“We are hoping for relief from the upcoming budget, especially through subsidies on fertilizers, urea, and machinery, which will make a significant difference in our production costs,” said Chanda Ram, a farmer from Jodhpur.
Amar Pal, a farmer from Uttar Pradesh, echoed similar expectations, stating, “We hope the government will focus on building storage warehouses and improving infrastructure for farmers to store and preserve our produce.”
The agriculture sector continues to support the livelihood of about 42.3% of the population and contributes 18.2% to the country’s GDP. With sustained growth, this sector plays a vital role in the overall economic development of India.
