Two weeks from now, on February 1, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Union Budget for 2026–27. However, several announcements from her previous budget speech —especially those related to the agriculture sector—are yet to be implemented.
Presenting the Union Budget 2025-26, Sitharaman had termed agriculture as the “first engine” of the economy and announced several new initiatives for the sector. Some of these are yet to be implemented—like raising the loan limit under the Modified Interest Subvention Scheme from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 5 lakh for loans taken through the Kisan Credit Card (KCC), launching a Mission for Cotton Productivity, and setting up a National Mission on High-Yielding Seeds.
Announcing the enhanced credit through the KCC scheme, Sitharaman said, “Kisan Credit Cards (KCC) facilitate short-term loans for 7.7 crore farmers, fishermen, and dairy farmers. The loan limit under the Modified Interest Subvention Scheme will be enhanced from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 5 lakh for loans taken through the KCC.”
However, this is yet to be approved by the Union Cabinet. It is learnt that the agriculture ministry will soon send a proposal in this regard.
Sitharaman also announced a Mission for Cotton Productivity. “For the benefit of lakhs of cotton growing farmers, I am pleased to announce a Mission for Cotton Productivity. This 5-year mission will facilitate significant improvements in productivity and sustainability of cotton farming, and promote extra-long staple cotton varieties. The best of science and technology support will be provided to farmers. Aligned with our integrated ‘5F’ vision for the textile sector, this will help in increasing the incomes of farmers, and ensure a steady supply of quality cotton for rejuvenating India’s traditional textile sector,” she had said. This mission too is yet to be implemented on the ground.
Announcements regarding a National Mission on High-Yielding Seeds and the second gene bank for crop germplasm have also not been implemented till date.
Plans to launch a “comprehensive programme to promote production, efficient supplies, processing, and remunerative prices for farmers” as announced in the budget have also reportedly been shelved.
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Among the budget announcements related to the agriculture sector that have been launched so far are the Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses with a special focus on tur, urad and masoor; Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana-Developing Agri Districts Programme; and the Makhana Board in Bihar.
