Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has paid special attention to increasing the income of farmers and strengthening agriculture in the Agriculture Budget 2026. In the budget speech, he clearly said that the government’s aim is not limited to grain production only, but to advance every sector related to agriculture. Farmers will be given opportunities to earn more through dairy, poultry, horticulture and special crops.

The Finance Minister said that if the diversity of products in farming is increased, not only will the income of farmers increase, but new employment opportunities will also be created in rural areas. Under this thinking, in Budget 2026, along with traditional methods of farming, emphasis has also been laid on new areas.

Big focus on dairy and poultry farming

The Finance Minister said in his speech that strengthening dairy and poultry farming is the priority of the government. Lakhs of farmers and small families are associated with these areas. The government wants that farmers can earn sustainable income through milk, eggs and related products. For this, it has been said that better facilities, training and increasing access to the market will be provided.

The Finance Minister said that India is at the forefront in the production of coconut in the world. About 3 crore people in the country are directly or indirectly dependent on coconut cultivation and related works. Keeping this in view, the government has made special proposals for the coconut sector. He said that the government will set up new facilities in the main coconut producing states. This will provide better support to coconut farmers and improve both the quality and sales of coconut related products. The government will also promote value addition of coconut i.e. oil, fiber and other products made from it.

Cashew and cocoa will get a new identity

Cashew and cocoa have also been given a special place in the Agriculture Budget 2026. Along with this, emphasis has also been laid on increasing exports. Farmers and entrepreneurs will be provided assistance to deliver cashew and cocoa related products to the international market. He said that sandalwood cultivation will be promoted again. A special plan has also been kept for North East states in Agriculture Budget 2026. The Finance Minister said that crops like almonds and groundnuts will be promoted in this area.

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Budget 2026: There is not much time left for the presentation of Union Budget 2026. In such a situation, a large section of the country, which is associated with agriculture, is keeping a special eye on the upcoming budget. Amidst the rising cost of farming and inflationary pressure, farmers are expecting relief from the government.

Farmers are expecting the government to increase the assistance they receive under the Prime Minister Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana. At present, farmers get Rs 6,000 annually under this scheme. But in the current situation, this amount seems less to the farmers. Therefore, it is expected from Budget 2026 that the government may announce increasing this amount to Rs 10,000.

Why are there demands for increase?

According to farmers, the expenditure on farming has increased rapidly in the last few years. Fertilizers, seeds, pesticides, diesel and tools used in farming have become much more expensive than before. In such circumstances, an annual assistance of Rs 6,000 is very less compared to the needs. If the government increases this amount, then farmers can get help in making better investments in farming and increasing production.

In such a situation, the farmers of the country are expecting a lot from this year’s budget. If a decision is taken by the government to increase financial assistance, then it will directly benefit the farmer friends. Besides, with more money in the hands of farmers, their spending capacity will also increase. Due to which growth can be expected in the entire rural economy.

When was the scheme started?

Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana was started in the month of December 2018. The objective of this scheme is to provide financial assistance to small farmers who have less cultivable land. Under the scheme, farmers are given annual assistance of Rs 6000. The money is transferred directly to the bank accounts of the farmers.

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