With the objective of doubling farmers’ income, the Government has been implementing a wide range of measures to raise productivity and enhance farmers’ incomes, states the Economic Survey 2025-26 tabled in Parliament today by the Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman.

Several interventions have been undertaken through inputs, technology, income support, market-related and insurance support. Many of these priorities are being implemented through a mission-mode approach.

National Food Security Mission (NFSM) is being implemented since 2007 to enhance productivity and production of Rice, Wheat, Pulses, Coarse Cereals (maize and barley), Commercial Crops (Cotton, jute, and sugarcane), and Nutri-Cereals (Shree Anna), across the country through area expansion and productivity enhancement. In FY25, the scheme was renamed the National Food Security and Nutrition Mission (NFSNM).

The National Mission on Edible Oils-Oilseeds (NMEO-OS) and the National Mission on Edible Oils–Oil Palm (NMEO-OP) are also being implemented to achieve self-sufficiency in oilseed production, aiming for nearly 70 million tonnes by 2030-31 through productivity enhancement, improved varieties, good agricultural practices, private sector participation, cluster-based interventions, and assured procurement.

To reduce import dependency on pulses by increasing productivity, the scheme Mission for Atmanirbharta in pulses, aimed at achieving self-sufficiency in pulses, was approved on 1^st October 2025. These combined interventions have led to a significant expansion in oilseed and palm oil cultivation and production. Between 2014–15 and 2024–25, the area under oilseeds increased by over 18 per cent, production by nearly 55 per cent, and productivity by about 31 per cent.

Domestic edible oil availability has risen from 86.30 lakh tonnes in 2015-16 to 121.75 lakh tonnes in 2023-24. This has lowered the share of imported edible oil, reducing it from 63.2 per cent in 2015-16 to 56.25 per cent in 2023-24, despite increasing domestic demand and consumption.

Prime Minister Dhan Dhaanya Krishi Yojana: Envisioning prosperity for all, the Government of India, in its Union Budget for 2025, announced the development of 100 Aspirational Agricultural Districts under “PM Dhan Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PM-DDKY)”. PMMDKY was approved in July 2025 for six-years commencing with FY26, to cover 100 aspirational districts.

The Scheme aims to enhance agricultural productivity, increase adoption of crop diversification and sustainable agricultural practices, augment post harvest storage at the panchayat and block levels, improve irrigation facilities, and facilitate availability of long-term and short-term credit.

Crop Insurance Support: The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) provides farmers with essential protection against crop losses resulting from natural calamities, pests, diseases, and adverse weather conditions throughout the crop cycle. In 2024-25, the scheme insured 4.19 crore farmers, a 32 per cent increase over 2022-23, covering 6.2 crore hectares, up 20 per cent from the previous year.

The Survey concludes that Agriculture and Allied activities contribute nearly one-fifth of India’s national income at current prices. Given the relatively large share of employment in agriculture and allied activities, the sector remains central to India’s overall growth trajectory. Strengthening agricultural performance is therefore important for inclusive growth and ensuring food security.

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NB/RC/RK