Ahead of the Union Budget 2026, stakeholders in agriculture sector seek scaled-up investments in agri-infrastructure, scientific warehousing, and post-harvest logistics to cut wastage and boost farmer incomes. Stakeholders add that a holistic Union Budget, strengthening the agri value chain from production and post-harvest management to market access, is crucial to building resilience, boosting farmer incomes, and positioning Indian agriculture as a globally competitive growth engine. For context, the Union Budget allocation for the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare has increased steadily from FY23 to FY25, with Rs 1.25 lakh crore in FY24 (Revised) and over Rs 1.22 lakh crore in the FY25 Budget Estimates. Meanwhile, the Economic Survey 2026 notes that agriculture and allied activities contribute nearly one-fifth of national income and employ a large share of the workforce. “Champion a 'Phygital' framework by blending physical infrastructure with digital platforms for increased traceability, quality assessment, financing, and risk management.

Source: dna January 29, 2026 13:35 UTC