The Union Budget 2025-26 has been hailed by experts and farmers alike, who have described the comprehensive package aimed at revitalizing the agriculture sector as a strong and a bold initiative for rural transformation.
Ajai Rana, Chairman of the Federation of Seed Industry of India (FSII) and CEO & MD of Savannah Seeds, emphasized the importance of the Budget’s focus on advancing research and seed innovation. He suggested that hybrid seed varieties should be incorporated into the National Mission on High-Yielding Seeds and that reinstating the 200% income tax deduction for R&D would be crucial in attracting private investments. Rana also highlighted the Mission on Cotton Productivity and the National Mission on High-Yielding Seeds as significant reforms that would provide substantial benefits to the seed industry.
“This Budget sets a strong foundation for a prosperous agricultural future,” said Raghavan Sampathkumar. Executive Director of FSII. He praised the government’s emphasis on promoting self-reliance for pulses and oilseeds, which could help reduce import dependency and bolster food security in the country.
The focus on bridging the urban-rural divide was a major highlight. Susheel Kumar, Country Head and Managing Director of Syngenta India Pvt Ltd, commended the Budget for its inclusivity. “This Budget reflects a clear intent to create new opportunities for farmers, youth, women, and agri-entrepreneurs, ensuring inclusive growth across the agricultural sector. It is encouraging that the government is leveraging India’s demographic dividend to engage rural youth in agricultural activities,” Kumar remarked.
Cotton farmers like Ganesh Nanote from Akola, Maharashtra, expressed optimism about the Budget’s impact. “The focus on cotton and textile sectors is a much-needed boost, especially with domestic production struggling to meet the growing demand,” said Nanote, underscoring the significance of the Mission on Cotton Productivity.
However, some voices raised concerns over certain unmet expectations. Dr. KC Ravi, Chief Sustainability Officer of Syngenta India, pointed out the absence of long-standing demands such as GST rationalization and an extension of the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme to the agrochemicals sector. “The Jan Vishwas Bill 2.0 is a welcome reform, but we hope similar trust-based governance is extended to the crop protection industry,” he noted.
The 2025-26 Union Budget represents a pivotal moment for India’s agricultural future, promising both sustainability and technological advancements to ensure growth and food security.
