**Executive Summary**
This document contains the answer to Unstarred Question No. 1721 in the Lok Sabha regarding funds for agricultural development. The question was to be answered on February 10th, 2026. It outlines the budgetary allocations for the rural and agriculture sectors, the percentage of the total budget allocated, and identified priority areas.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Budgetary Allocations:**
* Budgetary allocations for the rural and agriculture sectors are made annually.
* For the financial year 2025-26, the following allocations were made:
* Ministry of Rural Development: Rs. 190405.53 crores
* Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare: Rs. 137756.55 Crore
* **Percentage of Total Budget:**
* The total budget allocated to the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare for agricultural development is 2.71% of the total budget.
* **Priority Areas:**
* The Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare has identified priority areas to guide policy formulation and implementation, including:
* Enhancement of farmers' income by improving productivity
* Crop diversification
* Reducing cultivation cost
* Better access to markets
* Strengthening food and nutritional security
* Risk mitigation and income security of farmers through crop insurance
* Promotion of mechanisation, digital agriculture, and modern technologies
* Expansion of irrigation coverage and improvement in water use efficiency
* Capacity building and extension services to empower farmers with knowledge and skills
* These priority areas are reviewed periodically by the Government.
**Impact Analysis**
**Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare**
* **Impact:** Responsible for implementation of schemes and programmes based on the budgetary allocations and priority areas identified. The ministry is responsible for guiding policy formulation and implementation.
* **Action Required:** Utilize allocated funds effectively and efficiently to meet the identified priority areas and review these priorities as emerging challenges and sectoral requirements change.
**Ministry of Rural Development**
* **Impact:** Responsible for the development of the rural sector through allocated funds in the current Financial Year 2025-26.
* **Action Required:** Utilize allocated funds effectively and efficiently to meet the requirements of the rural sector.
**Farmers**
* **Impact:** Intended beneficiaries of the agricultural development initiatives, with a focus on enhancing income, reducing risk, and improving access to resources and knowledge.
* **Action Required:** Engage with government programs and initiatives to leverage available resources and improve agricultural practices.
**State Governments**
* **Impact:** Responsible for implementing agricultural programs, with the Government of India supplementing efforts through various schemes.
* **Action Required:** Collaborate with the Government of India and implement state-level programs based on the identified priority areas.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare: The primary ministry responsible for the budget allocation and policy formulation regarding agricultural development.
Schemes and programmes of the Government: Various schemes and programmes through which budgetary allocations for rural and agricultural sectors are made.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1721
TO BE ANSWERED ON 10TH FEBRUARY, 2026
FUNDS FOR AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT
1721. SHRI BALWANT BASWANT WANKHADE:
Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ िष एवं िकसान क(cid:670)ाण मं(cid:361)ी be
pleased to state:
(a) the funds earmarked on priority basis in the current years’ budget for rural sector and
agriculture sector;
(b) the percentage of the total budget allocated for the purpose of agricultural development;
and
(c) whether any priority areas have been identified so far and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
कृ िष एवं िकसान क(cid:670)ाण रा(cid:475) मं(cid:361)ी (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR)
(a): Budgetary allocations for the rural sector and the agriculture sector are made annually
under various schemes and programmes of the Government, including those implemented by
the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and allied Ministries/Departments. In the current
Financial Year 2025-26, for development of rural sector and agriculture sector, Ministry of Rural
Development and Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare have been allocated Rs.
190405.53 crores and Rs. 137756.55 Crore respectively.
(b): The total budget allocated to Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare for the purpose
of agriculture development in terms of percentage to the total budget is 2.71%.
(c): Agriculture is a State subject, however, Government of India supplements the efforts
of the State Governments through various schemes/programmes. The Ministry of Agriculture
& Farmers Welfare has identified priority areas to guide policy formulation and implementation
of its schemes and programmes. These priorities areas include enhancement of farmers'
income by improving productivity, crop diversification, reducing cultivation cost, better access
to markets, strengthening food and nutritional security, risk mitigation and income security of
farmers through crop insurance; promotion of mechanisation, digital agriculture, modern
technologies; expansion of irrigation coverage and improvement in water use efficiency;
capacity building and extension services to empower farmers with knowledge and skills. These
priority areas are reviewed from time to time by the Government in view of emerging challenges
and sectoral requirements.
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