Ahead Of Budget, Agri Leaders Call For Higher Investment In Digital, Climate-Resilient Farming

New Delhi, Jan 15 (KNN) Agri entrepreneurs and experts have proposed higher investment in digital infrastructure, climate-resilient practices and technology adoption in order to boost the farm sector as part of their suggestions to government ahead of the Union Budget 2026.

With agriculture and allied sectors employing about 45 percent of the workforce but contributing only around 18 percent to gross value added, industry stakeholders say the 2026–27 Budget is a key opportunity to recast the sector as a driver of growth rather than just a welfare priority, reported PTI. 

Dairy Sector Gains from GST Rationalisation

Heritage Foods Executive Director Brahmani Nara said the September 2025 GST rationalisation has spurred demand for high-protein dairy products in the organised sector. 

She outlined Budget priorities including subsidised quality feed and sex-sorted semen, expanded veterinary education to address shortages, and higher capital support for mini-dairies, especially for women entrepreneurs.

Focus on Climate-Resilient Infrastructure

Amit Vatsyayan, Leader, GPS–Agriculture, Livelihood, Social and Skills, EY India, emphasised the need to scale green infrastructure and climate-resilient irrigation through investments in micro-irrigation, watershed management, aquifer recharge and renewable-powered agricultural assets.

“From a growth lens, these interventions also act as strong multipliers, stimulating rural demand, stabilising farm incomes and strengthening food security,” he said.

He urged greater public–private partnerships in storage, logistics and agri-R&D to cut post-harvest losses, along with targeted investments in seed systems for self-reliance in pulses and other nutrition-rich crops. 

Citing Japan’s farmer school model, Vatsyayan proposed cluster-based farmer schools linked to FPOs and Krishi Vigyan Kendras to speed up technology adoption.

Digital Infrastructure and Precision Agriculture

MapMyCrop Founder and CEO Swapnil Jadhav called for stronger digital infrastructure and credit linkages to scale precision agriculture, citing the potential of drones, IoT and AI to boost yields and resilience. 

He urged targeted subsidies, PPPs and R&D tax incentives to integrate these tools with platforms like AGMARK-NET and e-NAM and drive a shift to technology-led farming.

Addressing Structural Challenges

BDO India Partner Soumyak Biswas highlighted challenges including fragmented landholdings, weak allied-sector investment, high post-harvest losses and underfunded research, and called for higher DARE funding, stronger livestock and fisheries, market-linked credit support for FPOs, and diversification into horticulture, pulses and oilseeds.

(KNN Bureau)