Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, in the Union Budget 2025, announced to develop agri districts under PM Dhan Dhanya Krishi Yojana, in collaboration with state governments. The scheme will cover 100 districts in phase 1 benefiting 1.7 crore farmers, and focuses on creating sustainable livelihood opportunities in rural areas, ensuring that migration remains an option rather than a necessity.Finance Minister is presenting the Union Budget 2025 in the Parliament.”PM Dhan Dhaanya Krishi Yojana – developing agri districts program…Our government will undertake a PM Dhan Dhaanya Krishi Yojana in partnership with states. Through the convergence of existing schemes and specialised measures, the program will cover 100 districts with low productivity, moderate crop intensity and below-average credit parameters. It aims to enhance cultural productivity…” FM said.
In the previous Budget 2024-25, the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare was allocated ₹1.52 lakh crore, aimed at transforming India’s agricultural landscape. This followed the ₹1.25 lakh crore allocation for 2023-24, reflecting a steady increase in funding for the sector.The agriculture sector, contributing approximately 17% to India’s GDP and employing over 50% of the population, has witnessed consistent budgetary support, with a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.4% since 2019-20.In the fiscal year 2013-14, when the Ministry of Cooperation, Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, and Department of Fisheries were integral to the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, the total budget stood at just ₹27,662.67 crore. Despite the subsequent separation of these departments, the budget allocation for the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has seen a remarkable rise, reaching ₹1,25,035.79 crore in 2023-24.Budget allocation to the Ministry of Agriculture in past 5 years
Fiscal yearBudget allocation2025-26Rs xxx crore2024-25₹1.52 lakh crore2023-24₹1.25 lakh crore2022-23₹1.24 lakh crore2021-22₹16.5 lakh crore
Key announcements in 2024:
Expansion of natural farming to 1 crore farmers
Strengthening of the pulses sector with enhanced storage and marketing support
Shrimp farming promotion with financial aid
Development of Digital Public Infrastructure for Agriculture
Creation of Vegetable Production Clusters to increase supply efficiency
Launch of Jan Samarth-based Kisan Credit Card for better financial access
Release of 109 climate-resilient and high-yielding crop varieties
