(GIST OF YOJANA) AGRICULTURE: ENGINE FOR INDIA’S DEVELOPMENT

GIST OF YOJANA : AGRICULTURE: ENGINE FOR INDIA’S DEVELOPMENT

MARCH-2025

AGRICULTURE: ENGINE FOR INDIA’S DEVELOPMENT

Introduction

Agriculture serves as a crucial cornerstone of India's economy, playing a vital role in GDP, employment, and food security. Acknowledging its essential function, the Union Budget for 2025-26 highlights agriculture among four key engines of progress, alongside MSMEs, investment, and exportation. Numerous strategic actions have been introduced to promote productivity, sustainability, and resilience in the agricultural sector.

Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana: Agri Districts Development Initiative

Drawing inspiration from the Aspirational Districts Programme, this initiative aims at enhancing productivity in 100 districts characterized by low agricultural yield and inadequate financial credit metrics. Main objectives encompass:

Boosting Agricultural Output: Incorporation of modern methodologies and improved farming practices.
Crop Variation & Sustainability: Encouragement of climate-resilient and high-value crops.
Post-Harvest Storage & Irrigation: Establishment of storage facilities at the panchayat and block levels.
Facilitating Agricultural Finance: Better access to both long-term and short-term loans.

This initiative is anticipated to benefit approximately 1.7 crore farmers, thereby improving food security and rural prosperity.

Rural Prosperity and Resilience Initiative

A holistic, multi-dimensional program focused on tackling underemployment and improving rural livelihoods through:
Skill Enhancement & Job Creation: Training schemes to empower entrepreneurship and agribusinesses.
Empowering Women in Rural Areas: Financial inclusion and enterprise-building projects.
Engaging Youth in Agriculture: Promoting modern agricultural techniques among younger farmers.
Infrastructure Improvement: Reinforcing warehousing, irrigation, and post-harvest management systems.
This program is designed to make migration a choice rather than a necessity, fostering sustainable rural development.

Self-Sufficiency in Pulses

In light of India’s notable achievement in nearing self-sufficiency in pulses, the government has initiated a six-year Mission for Self-Sufficiency in Pulses, concentrating on:

Climate-Resistant Seeds: Development and commercial access to high-yield varieties.
Yield Enhancement: Assistance for improved agronomic practices and mechanization.
Procurement & Price Guarantee: Central agencies (NAFED & NCCF) to procure Tur, Urad, and Masoor at advantageous prices.
Post-Harvest Management: Investing in storage and processing facilities.

This initiative guarantees price stability, food security, and improved farmer earnings.

Comprehensive Fruits and Vegetables Program

With growing awareness of nutritional requirements and rising demand for fruits, vegetables, and Shree-Anna (millets), the government has launched a program to:

Enhance Production & Supply Chain Efficiency: Promoting contemporary horticultural methods.
Improve Processing Abilities: Encouraging value addition and food processing initiatives.
Secure Fair Prices for Farmers: Fortifying market connections through Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and cooperatives.

This initiative will augment nutritional security, boost farmer incomes, and improve market access.

Grameen Credit Score: Promoting Financial Inclusion in Rural India

To enhance financial access for rural populations, Public Sector Banks will create a Grameen Credit Score system, which aims to:

Ease Credit Availability for Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and rural entrepreneurs.
Foster Financial Inclusion using digital credit assessment technologies.
Empower Small & Marginal Farmers by improving loan eligibility and decreasing reliance on informal lending.
This initiative will close the financial divide and support rural enterprises in thriving.

Looking Ahead: Fortifying Agricultural Resilience and Growth

The Union Budget for 2025-26 sets out a transformative blueprint for agriculture by integrating financial, technological, and infrastructural backing. Key insights include:

Boosting productivity through focused interventions in low-yielding districts.
Advocating for sustainable agriculture via crop diversification and climate-resilient methods.
Empowering rural communities by creating job and entrepreneurship opportunities.
Enhancing financial access through novel credit frameworks.
Strengthening market connections to ensure fair pricing and minimize waste.

Conclusion:

By harnessing these initiatives, India aspires to cultivate a self-reliant, robust, and globally competitive agricultural sector, reaffirming its position as a significant catalyst for economic growth and rural development.