Big farm push: From loan subsidy to green energy

Jaipur: Finance minister Diya Kumari Wednesday unveiled an expansive agriculture package in Budget, promising higher spending, irrigation expansion, a renewable energy push and marketing reforms.The agriculture Budget saw a 7.59% increase, with enhanced support under the Mukhyamantri Kisan Samman Nidhi and a slew of new farmer-centric measures.
The package allocates Rs 160 crore in subsidies for farm machinery and Rs 228 crore to construct 20,000km of fencing to protect crops from stray animals. Seed distribution will benefit 2.5 lakh farmers. There is also a proposal of Rs 25,000 crore in agriculture loans and a 5% subsidy on Rs 590 crore in long-term cooperative and non-farming loans. An allocation of Rs 700 crore was made under the Mukhyamantri Dugdh Utpadak Sambal Yojana to support milk producers. Diya also proposed major irrigation works worth over Rs 11,300 crore, alongside the installation of 50,000 solar pumps at an estimated Rs 1,500 crore. The package includes free Napier grass distribution to 5,000 farmers to strengthen fodder security and subsidies for 500 solar crop dryers. To enhance skills and market linkages, 3,300 farmers will be sent on exposure visits under a knowledge enhancement programme. Special training programmes for farmers, processors, traders and exporters are planned to boost value addition and exports. On the marketing front, new agricultural mandis are proposed in Banswara, Dausa and Sriganganagar, with dedicated vegetable mandis in Sawai Madhopur and Bayana (Bharatpur). Cooperative consumer stores will be opened in new districts, and Kisan Vikray Kendras will promote direct farmer-to-consumer sales. Agriculture minister Kirori Lal Meena said the hike reflects the govt's commitment to modernisation, irrigation expansion and profitable farming. However, farmer groups questioned implementation. Kisan Mahapanchayat national president Rampal Jat said several earlier mandi projects remain incomplete and 1.45 lakh pending agricultural electricity connections are yet to be released. "Farmers need assured water, fair prices and timely execution, not just announcements," he said, demanding a legal MSP guarantee and priority for irrigation works.