The Indian agriculture sector is keeping its hopes high for the upcoming budget 2025. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will be presenting the budget for the financial year 2025-26 on February 1, 2025. industry stakeholders are hopeful for reforms that will tackle long-standing challenges and foster sustainable growth.


According to Bhavika Gupta, Engagement lead, Growth Advisory, Aranca the agriculture sector anticipates transformative measures in Union Budget 2025 to bolster farmers' livelihoods and promote sustainable growth.


“Key expectations include lowering agriculture loan interest rates to as little as 1 per cent and doubling the PM-KISAN annual instalment from Rs 6,000 to Rs 12,000. Introducing a zero-premium crop insurance scheme under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana for small farmers is also high on the agenda. Additionally, demands for GST exemptions on seeds, agricultural machinery, and fertilizers, as well as a reduction in GST on pesticides from 18 per cent to 5 per cent, could provide much-needed relief to the farming community and support the sector's overall development,” she added.


Investment In Infrastructure


Janardhan Swahar, Managing Director & CEO of Y-Cook India highlighted that the fruits and vegetables sector, particularly sweet corn, anticipates critical support to enhance export potential and domestic growth.


Swahar opined, “We hope the Finance Minister prioritizes investments in infrastructure, such as cold storage and transportation, which are vital for preserving quality and reducing post-harvest losses. Additionally, incentives for sustainable farming practices and technology adoption can boost productivity and competitiveness in global markets. By addressing these areas, the budget can foster innovation, expand export opportunities, and ensure that sweet corn and other agricultural products thrive, contributing significantly to both the economy and food security. We look forward to a forward-thinking budget that empowers farmers and strengthens our position in the global agricultural landscape.”


Promote Water-efficient Practices


Aditya Sesh, Member of the Expert Committee, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare, Government of India, noted, “Bharat has ensured food security but now the focus is improving nutritional security. One major step for this is encouraging the consumption of pulses. Not only are they important sources of nutrition but they also promote water-efficient practices. This aligns with India’s commitment to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 30). The government has assured buyback of pulses at MSP, a policy likely to see further support in the Budget.”


“Platforms like eNAM and Agri E-commerce will streamline trade, even across state borders, and we can expect increased budget support for these initiatives. In the last budget, Rs 1,10,000 crore was set aside to develop agri-warehouses over 10 years, and this allocation will likely grow. At the same time, there’s a big push for tools that support farmers directly—things like real-time weather updates, soil health reports, and direct transfers for fertilizer subsidies,” Sesh added.


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