What did farmers get in the budget? Know the major announcements for agriculture and allied sector

While presenting the Union Budget for the financial year 2024-25, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has made several announcements, counting the agriculture sector among the priority areas of the government. The Finance Minister said that the government will conduct a comprehensive review of agricultural research in the country to increase productivity and develop climate-friendly varieties. Private institutions will also be given funding for agricultural research in challenge mode. This year, 109 new varieties of 32 crops will be released for farmers which will be capable of high productivity and tolerate weather changes.

Emphasis on natural farming

Announcing a total budget allocation of Rs 1.52 lakh crore for agriculture and allied sector, the Finance Minister said that one crore farmers will be helped in doing natural farming in the next two years. This initiative will be implemented through scientific institutions and gram panchayats. For this, ten thousand bio input resource centers will be set up.

Mission Pulses and Oilseeds

To achieve self-sufficiency in the production of pulses and oilseeds, the government has announced to launch the Pulses and Oilseeds Mission. The government will strengthen the production, storage and marketing of pulses. Vegetable clusters will be set up near major cities to promote the production of vegetables. The government will take the help of FPOs, cooperatives and startups in the supply, storage and marketing of vegetables. DPI for Agriculture In the general budget, the Finance Minister has announced Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) for Agriculture. The central government will promote digital public infrastructure for agriculture in partnership with the states. In the next three years, records of 6 crore farmers and their land will be registered in 400 districts of the country. Farmer and Land Registry is being started under DPI for Agriculture. This year, digital crop survey will be conducted using DPI for Kharif crops in 400 districts of the country. Jan Samarth based Kisan Credit Cards will be issued in five states. Land base will be created

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, while presenting the 'Union Budget 2024-25' in Parliament today, said that in both rural and urban areas, land-related reforms and works will be encouraged to be completed within the next three years through appropriate fiscal support.

In the budget, the Finance Minister has also announced several steps related to land reform in rural areas. These will include allocation of Unique Land Parcel Identification Number (ULPIN) or Bhu-Aadhaar for all lands, digitization of cadastral maps, survey of map subdivisions, establishment of land registry and linking with farmer registry. These works will also facilitate credit flow and other agricultural services.

National Cooperative Policy

The government will bring a National Cooperative Policy for the development of the cooperative sector. Rapid development of the rural economy and creation of large-scale employment opportunities will be the policy goal. The government will provide finance for shrimp farming and marketing. Pradhan Mantri Janjati Unnat Gram Abhiyan

To improve the socio-economic condition of tribal communities, the government will launch Pradhan Mantri Janjati Unnat Gram Abhiyan in tribal dominated villages and aspiring districts. It will cover 63,000 villages and benefit 5 crore tribal people.