Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to speak at a post-budget webinar themed “Agriculture and Rural Transformation” on Friday through video conferencing. The webinar, part of eight sessions under this theme, will cover agriculture, animal husbandry, dairying, fisheries, and rural livelihoods. Discussions will include promoting high-value crops like cashew, coconut, sandalwood, and exploring opportunities with Bharat Vistaar, an AI-powered Digital Public Infrastructure for Agriculture.
The webinar will also focus on private sector investments in the animal husbandry value chain, reservoir development for fisheries, coastal fisheries value chains, and market access for products by rural women entrepreneurs. The recent Union Budget emphasized high-value agriculture, allied sectors, and technology-led farming, with an allocation of Rs 1,62,671 crore for the agriculture sector. This marks a 7% increase from the previous year, reflecting the government’s commitment to farmer welfare and rural livelihoods.
The Budget for 2026-27 aims to boost high-value crops like coconut, sandalwood, and nuts such as almonds and walnuts. The Finance Minister highlighted the importance of increasing farmer incomes through productivity enhancement and entrepreneurship. Initiatives like the Coconut Promotion Scheme and programs for Indian cashew and cocoa aim to enhance production, competitiveness, and transform these products into premium global brands by 2030.
