The Union Cabinet, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved seven key agricultural initiatives with a combined budget of ₹13,966 crore. These initiatives aim to strengthen climate resilience and promote sustainable farming practices across India.
One of the major programs is the Digital Agriculture Mission, which has been allocated ₹2,187 crore. The government plans to develop a mobile-based platform for farmers, similar to the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), leveraging the agri stack—a comprehensive database of farmers built using data from the PM-KISAN cash-transfer program. This platform will provide farmers with streamlined access to services such as farm credit, buyer-seller connections, soil profiles, and crop yield estimates, enhancing overall agricultural efficiency.
In addition to the digital mission, the Cabinet has approved a ₹3,979 crore program focused on preparing farmers and rural communities for climate change. This program will also work on improving the productivity of pulses and oilseeds, with the goal of reducing India’s dependence on costly imports by 2027. Extreme weather events, linked to climate change, have significantly impacted agricultural output, particularly for crops like wheat, leading to rising food prices.
To address these challenges, the Cabinet has sanctioned ₹2,291 crore for a project aimed at strengthening agricultural research and education. This project, to be undertaken by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), will update agricultural curricula to better equip students and researchers to tackle climate-related challenges, in line with the National Education Policy 2020.
The Cabinet has also approved ₹1,702 crore for a program to enhance the genetic potential of livestock, which accounts for 30% of the agricultural sector’s gross value added (GVA). This program will focus on improving livestock nutrition, controlling animal diseases, and enhancing veterinary education. Additionally, ₹800 crore has been allocated for a sustainable horticulture scheme to boost the productivity of fruits, vegetables, mushrooms, and spices, which are key export commodities.
The cabinet committee on Monday has also given the green light for the purchase of 240 AL-31FP aero-engines for Su-30 MKI aircraft from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, with a budget surpassing Rs 26,000 crore. These engines, which will be manufactured at HAL’s Koraput division, will include over 54% indigenous components, bolstering the Indian Air Force’s fleet strength and operational readiness.
