Parliament Question: Budgetary allocation for agricultural research and education

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH & EDUCATION RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-2424 ANSWERED ON- 13/03/2026 BUDGETARY ALLOCATION FOR AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH AND EDUCATION 2424. SHRI SANJAY RAUT: Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE be pleased to state: (a) whether Government is aware that allocation for agricultural research and education has declined in real terms despite rising climate risks, input costs and low farm incomes; (b) whether the allocation of ₹1.32 lakh crore to the Ministry, when agriculture supports nearly 46 percent of the workforce, reflects adequate priority, given that most funds are absorbed by subsidies rather than productivity investments; and (c) the reasons as to why expenditure on agricultural education and research has been kept at about ₹9,967 crore despite claims of promoting technology led farming and whether continued underinvestment threatens long-term food security and farmer livelihoods? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE (SHRI BHAGIRATH CHOUDHARY) (a): The Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE)/Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is responsible for coordinating agricultural research, education and extension in India and has witnessed a consistent increase in the budget over the past decade, i.e, Rs. 6,144.39 crore in 2014-15 to Rs. 10,466.39 crore in the 2025-26 (Budget Estimates). (b): The allocation of ₹1.32 lakh crore to the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare reflects the Government’s continued commitment to strengthening the agriculture sector and improving farmers’ welfare. The Department provides various subsidies, schemes and credit facilities to support the farmers in order to enhance agricultural productivity. In addition to subsidies, the Department provides support for enhancing production, processing, and export competitiveness of agriculture and allied commodities including high value agriculture. The allocation towards Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), and continued support to infrastructure initiatives such as the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund and mechanisation components under umbrella schemes aim to reduce post-harvest losses and improve efficiency. These provisions are to enhance farmers’ income and promote agricultural sustainability by providing income support, risk mitigation, access to institutional credit, and adoption of modern technologies. (c): Department proposed an allocation of Rs. 11427.51 crore Budget Estimate for 2026-27, wherein an allocation of Rs. 9967.40 crore was made considering the fact that the fiscal year 2026-27 is the first year of the 16th Finance Cycle (2026-27 to 2030-31). Allocations in the initial year of a new Finance Cycle are typically lower due to the processing of Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC) documents for appraisal and approvals which require considerable time. The Department has prioritized research programs/activities matching with the availability of funds. ******