In the Union Budget 2025-2026, the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) saw a substantial boost in funding, increasing from Rs 100 crore in the 2024-2025 Revised Estimates (RE) to Rs 616.01 crore, an increase of Rs 516 crore. On November 25, 2024, the NMNF was introduced as a stand-alone, centrally supported program under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare (MoA&FW) and the Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare (DA&FW). The mission aims to implement natural farming on 0.75 million hectares, helping 10 million farmers and advancing chemical-free agriculture, with an investment of Rs 2,481 crore, of which Rs 1,584 crore comes from the Union government and Rs 897 crore from the states.

Budgetary increases were also made to several other centrally sponsored programs. The allocation for the Krishionnati Yojana, which aims to raise farmers’ income through increased productivity, production, and market returns, rose by 12%. A 41% boost was provided to the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), which promotes value addition, agri-entrepreneurship, innovation, and pre-and post-harvest infrastructure. The Namo Drone Didi initiative, which aims to supply drones to 15,000 Women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) for agricultural services, including liquid fertilizer and pesticide applications, received Rs 676.85 crore, up from Rs 250 crore in the 2024–25 Revised Estimates.

Limited Growth in Agricultural Research and Extension Programs

The DA&FW saw only a slight 3% increase in funding despite calls for bolstering agricultural research. Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan underlined in 2024 how crucial it is to ensure that scientific advances directly help farmers to close the “lab to land” gap. However, agricultural research funding did not demonstrate a strong commitment to this objective.

The financial reduction for the “Strengthening of Krishi Vigyan Kendras” (KVKs), grassroots organizations responsible for educating farmers and distributing cutting-edge agricultural technologies, was a significant concern. In the 2024–25 Revised Estimates, the amount allotted for KVK strengthening decreased from Rs 234.89 crore to Rs 204.23 crore.

Crop Science for Food and Nutritional Security, a central sector program that develops high-yielding crop varieties resistant to abiotic stressors, diseases, and pests, was awarded Rs 965.46 crore, a slight increase from Rs 930.22 crore in the 2024–25 Revised Estimates.

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Balancing Budget Priorities in Agriculture

Although infrastructure-related initiatives and natural farming have been prioritized in the budget, concerns remain regarding the slow rise in funding for agricultural research and extension services. The increased expenditure in the National Mission on Natural Farming and other programs demonstrates the government’s push for chemical-free and sustainable farming. However, concerns regarding long-term innovation and farmer support are raised by the cuts to research and KVK funding. Experts emphasize the importance of maintaining a balanced approach to ensure that both traditional and modern farming methods receive adequate resources.

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