Farmers’ Forum Calls Union Budget Anti Agriculture, Flags Sharp Funding Cuts
Farmer Swarajya Vedika says the Union Budget sidelines agriculture, warning that shrinking allocations, reduced crop insurance support, and withdrawn missions could deepen rural distress and weaken long term farm sustainability nationwide.
- Union Budget agriculture share sees steady decline.
- Farm schemes funding cuts raise farmer concerns.
- Crop insurance reduction adds climate risk pressure.
Criticism of the Union Budget has grown after the Farmer Swarajya Vedika said it is anti agriculture and accused the government of sidelining farming and allied sectors despite rising rural challenges.
Representatives of the forum said agriculture’s share in the total Budget has steadily fallen over the years, declining from 5.44 percent in 2019 to 3.04 percent by 2026. They argued that this downward trend signals a clear policy shift away from farmers at a time when costs and risks are rising.
While the overall Budget size has expanded significantly, allocations for agriculture have moved in the opposite direction. The forum pointed out that farm sector spending has dropped by nearly nine thousand crore rupees compared to last year, creating anxiety among cultivators who depend on public support.
Particular concern was raised over the scaling down of key missions. Programmes aimed at self sufficiency in pulses and support for fruits and vegetables, which earlier received substantial funding, have reportedly been reduced to zero allocations, triggering fears about long term food security.
The forum raised concerns over agriculture being left out of the priority growth sector list. With climate change already affecting yields and incomes, members said the reduction in crop insurance funding further exposes farmers to financial shocks.
Cuts to micro irrigation initiatives and the removal of groundwater management funding were cited as signs of neglect toward soil health and water conservation. Even allocations for natural farming were described as insufficient to make a real impact.
Overall, the Farmer Swarajya Vedika said the Budget reflects indifference toward agriculture, adding that selective announcements linked to election bound states cannot compensate for what they see as a broader retreat from supporting farmers and rural livelihoods.
