Union Budget 2026: Govt sharpens focus on farmer income, fisheries, and high-value crops

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday announced a series of targeted measures aimed at increasing farmer income and expanding rural entrepreneurship, with a sharp focus on productivity, value chain development, and export-oriented agriculture.

Sitharaman said the Union Budget 2026-27 would prioritise income growth for farmers through productivity enhancement and diversification into high-value crops, fisheries, and animal husbandry—sectors seen as key drivers of rural employment.

The Minister proposed strengthening the fisheries value chain in coastal regions, with specific emphasis on building and scaling fish farmer producer organisations (FPOs), which will improve market access, reduce intermediaries, and enable better price realisation for fishers.

The government also outlined plans to enhance infrastructure and processing capabilities in coastal areas to support exports and reduce post-harvest losses.

Recognising animal husbandry as a major source of rural employment, the government announced support for the sector through a credit-linked subsidy programme. The focus will be on modernising livestock practices, improving productivity, and building integrated value chains that connect farmers to markets more efficiently.

In a bid to boost farmer incomes in coastal and agro-climatic regions, the Finance Minister announced targeted support for high-value crops, such as coconut, cashew, and sandalwood. The government also proposed programmes for Indian cashew and coconut production and processing for exports.

It also set an ambitious target to position Indian cashew and coconut as premium global brands by 2032, alongside initiatives to restore the ancient Indian sandalwood ecosystem.

To support farmers with decision-making and risk management, the government proposed the launch of Bharat Vistaar—a multilingual, AI-powered agricultural tool—which will enhance farm productivity, provide timely advisory services, and help farmers reduce climate and market-related risks.