Union Budget allots Rs 1.52 lakh Cr to boost agricultural productivity, promote natural farming

The Union Budget for 2024-2025 has allocated Rs 1.52 lakh crore for the agricultural and allied sectors to boost productivity and promote natural farming.

According to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, one crore farmers across India will be initiated into natural farming, supported by certification and branding, in the next two years. This will be implemented through scientific institutions and willing gram panchayats.

Focus on natural farming

This year's Budget allocation with a focus on natural farming could benefit small and middle-scale farmers, bringing them under an organised set-up, said Satyajit Hange, Co-founder of Two Brothers Organic Farms. 

"As a part of the organic farming community, I believe the government’s vision to initiate 1 crore farmers into natural farming could prove effective in making organic farming go mainstream,” he said.

However, Hange added that the success of this initiative would depend on timely access to financial aid under schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi and Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana, along with support for branding and certification. 

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As announced in the interim budget, a strategy is being implemented to achieve ‘atmanirbharta’ for oil seeds such as mustard, groundnut, sesame, soybean, and sunflower, said the Finance Minister.

“The establishment of more gram panchayats, the encouragement of FPOs, agri-startups, and vegetable supply chain companies, and a focused push on oil seeds such as mustard, soybean, and sunflower to achieve Atmanirbhar Bharat are strategic moves that will strengthen the ecosystem,” said Navneet Ravikar, Chairman & Managing Director, Leads Connect Services.

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Digital public infrastructure in agriculture

The government will also facilitate the implementation of digital public infrastructure (DPI) in agriculture for coverage of farmers and their lands in three years.

This year, digital crop survey for kharif using DPI will be taken up in 400 districts, and the details of six crore farmers and their lands will be entered into the farmer and land registries. Issuance of Jan Samarth-based kisan credit cards will be enabled in five states, said Sitharaman.

“The implementation of digital public infrastructure (DPI) within three years will ensure that farmers and their lands are comprehensively covered, leading to better resource management," said Dr Sat Kumar Tomer, Founder and CEO, Satyukt Analytics. 

"Additionally, the operationalisation of the Anusandhan National Research Fund for basic research and prototype development, along with mechanisms for private sector-driven innovation, marks a significant advancement in agricultural research and development,” he added.