The Economic Survey 2025-26, presented in Parliament by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, emphasizes transformative measures that have boosted India’s agricultural sector. Notable improvements in input quality, mechanization, market support, crop insurance, and credit delivery have yielded positive outcomes for farmers nationwide. The government’s maintenance of Minimum Support Prices (MSPs) at 1.5 times the production cost and the increase in MSPs for Kharif and Rabi crops underscore the importance of income support.
The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme has disbursed over Rs 4.09 lakh crore to 11 crore farmers in 21 installments, ensuring direct income stability. Credit delivery has exceeded targets, with on-ground disbursements reaching Rs 28.69 lakh crore in FY25. The Kisan Credit Card scheme, with 7.72 crore operative accounts, has been strengthened by the Modified Interest Subvention Scheme, distributing Rs 1.77 lakh crore in subsidies since FY15, as per the Survey’s findings.
A significant achievement has been the success of the Sub-Mission on Seeds and Planting Materials initiated in 2014-15. This initiative has established 6.85 lakh seed villages and produced 1649.26 lakh quintals of quality seeds, benefiting 2.85 crore farmers. The government’s announcement of the National Mission on High-Yielding Seeds in the Union Budget 2025-26 aims to develop climate-resilient varieties and enhance the commercial availability of over 100 new seed types.
