Agriculture Budget 2025 and Farmers: Will the Wounds Be Healed?

Like every year, there are numerous expectations for the upcoming Budget 2025, especially from farmers. Timeless proverbs like ‘Uttam Kheti Madhyam Baan, Adham Chakari Bhikh Nidan’ may seem like satire about the difficult situation of farmers today, but their significance cannot be denied. The truth stated in the ancient text ‘Krishi Parashar’ by Rishi Parashar, ‘Krishirdhanya Krishirmedhya Jantoonam Jeevanam Krishi,’ remains unaltered even today, that agriculture is the foundation of life. However, the irony is that the policymakers of the country hardly find time to listen to the farmers and their issues. It has become a trend to push them to the ‘ICU’ and marginalize their concerns.

Before every budget, the Finance Minister and the Commerce Minister invite various trade organizations like CII, FICCI, and Chambers of Commerce for discussions over tea, and the expectations of businesses and industries are carefully considered in the budget. But why is the same treatment not extended to farmer organizations? Is the issue of 61% of the population's livelihood and 100% of the people’s food supply so insignificant? The irony is that the letters and suggestions from farmer organizations are either discarded or deemed not worthy of discussion. Is this the policy of ‘reform’?

The daily suicides of farmers in the country are proof that the land, which once served as the foundation of a prosperous kingdom, has now become a nightmare for farmers. Can the government restore the lost dignity of farmers in this budget?

Separate Agriculture Budget: When will ‘Krishi Moolam Jagat Sarvam’ be recognized?

The phrase ‘Krishi Moolam Jagat Sarvam’ mentioned in the Bhagavad Gita gives agriculture the highest importance. Today, when a separate railway budget can be presented, why can't there be a separate budget for agriculture?

In an agrarian country like India, where the majority of the population depends on farming, the demand for a separate agriculture budget is natural. Dr. Rajaram Tripathi and his organization have been raising this issue for the past 30 years. Just as the railway budget is separated due to its vast scope, why can't there be a separate budget for agriculture, which is equally large and important?

Agriculture is not limited to farming alone. There is a saying, ‘Just as all feet are beneath the elephant’s foot,’ similarly, agriculture includes several important sub-sectors such as animal husbandry, dairy, horticulture, irrigation, food processing, warehousing, and logistics. Most of India's industries, whether food processing, textiles, or pharmaceuticals, depend on agriculture for raw materials. Yet, why the indifference in prioritizing agriculture?

According to the principles of Chanakya's Economics, if the foundation is not strong, the empire cannot stand.

Imbalance in the Calculation of Agriculture's Contribution to GDP:

India's GDP calculation policy has been influenced by that of the United States. The strategy in the U.S. has been to reduce dependence on agriculture and promote industries, as it was designed considering the country’s population, available resources, and vast land area. However, in a country like India, with a population of over one and a half billion, where agriculture is the main source of livelihood, how practical is this policy? In the previous budget, around Rs 1.25 lakh crore was allocated to the agricultural sector, which was a very small portion of the total budget. Therefore, the continued pitiable condition of the agricultural sector should not come as a surprise.

In the fiscal year 2024, agriculture contributed approximately 15-17% to India's GDP, while 61% of the population depends on this sector. This contradiction clearly shows that agriculture is not receiving the attention it deserves in policy-making.

Budget 2025: Another Wound or a Remedy

In recent years, farmers have organized protests demanding a legal guarantee for the Minimum Support Price (MSP) and various other issues. However, the government's response has mostly been disappointing. Despite an increase in crop production in the year 2022-23, farmers did not receive fair prices for their produce. Is this the definition of "Atmanirbhar Bharat"?

The government had allocated Rs 15,000 crore under the Crop Insurance Scheme in the 2024 budget. However, this scheme has not effectively reached the farmers. The use of the Agricultural Infrastructure Development Fund has also been limited.

Budget 2025: Essential Steps Toward a Solution

1. Separate Agriculture Budget: Understanding the complexities of the agricultural sector, there is a need for a separate agricultural budget. This would not only benefit agriculture but also provide a boost to industry and exports.

2. Guarantee for MSP: It is essential to ensure farmers receive a fair price for their produce. This requires a strong guarantee law, with input from farmer organizations, to ensure 100% MSP for every crop.

3. Logistics and Warehousing: There is a need for better infrastructure for crop storage and transportation. Each year, millions of tons of grain, along with Rs 2 lakh crore worth of vegetables and fruits, are wasted due to a lack of proper facilities, resulting in a huge economic loss to the country and a severe insult to the labor of farmers.

4. Agriculture-Industry Collaboration: By fostering collaboration between agriculture and industries, the processing and export of agricultural products can be increased.

5. KVKs: The neglected issue of 'KVKs' (Krishi Vigyan Kendras) should be addressed, and all KVKs should be upgraded and strengthened with modern facilities, expanding to the block level.

6. Cutting Budget Allocation for Agricultural Research: The ongoing cuts in the agricultural research budget should be stopped immediately, and adequate funding should be provided for research and innovations.

7. Organic Farming: Organic farming should be freed from slogans like zero-budget and given a long-term policy and roadmap, with adequate budget allocation for this initiative.

8. Irrigation and Infrastructure: There must be a proper policy for irrigation and infrastructure development in agriculture, with long-term investments encouraged in this sector.

9. Agriculture Budget Allocation: The agricultural budget should constitute at least 10% of the total budget.

10. Farmer Welfare Commission: An empowered 'Farmer Welfare Commission' should be set up immediately, ensuring the 100% participation of actual farmers.

Budget 2025: Balm or Chili

Looking at the current state of farming, proverbs like ‘Krishi Moolam Jagat Sarvam’ and ‘Uttam Kheti Madhyam Baan’ now seem sarcastic. If the government neglects the farmers again this time, it will not only add salt to their wounds but also weaken the entire economy of the country.

Whether this budget will be a balm for farmers' wounds or will dampen their hopes will become clear only on February 1. However, it is certain that farmers will no longer tolerate neglect. Will the government pay attention to them this time, or will it continue with the old approach of ‘Agriculture in the ICU,’ turning away from the treatment of the 'seriously ill child' as it did before? We will have to wait until February 1 to find out.