FM begins Budget speech with big focus on farmers

The Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman began her Budget speech with a key focus on agriculture. Under the Prime Minister Krishi Yojana, a new initiative inspired by the success of the Aspirational District Programme, the government will unveil an agricultural district programme- Dhan Dhanya Krishi Yojana in partnership with states.

Developing agri districts programme to be initiated on lines of aspirational districts programme, she added.

This will target 100 districts with low productivity, moderate crop intensity, and below-average credit parameters. The scheme aims to enhance agricultural productivity and crop diversification.

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Furthermore, a Makhana Board will be set-up in Bihar and the FM called it as as special opportunity for the people of the state. The board aims to enhance the production, processing, value addition, and marketing of Makhana.

Also, the FM said that Kisan Credit Cards (KCC) will continue to facilitate short-term loans for 7.7 crore farmers, fishermen, and dairy farmers. Additionally, the loan limit under the modified interest subvention scheme will be increased from Rs 3,000 to Rs 5,000 for loans taken through the KCC, providing greater financial support for agricultural production.

Moreover, she added that pulses like tur, urad, masur are to get special focus in plan to achieve self reliance in pulses.