Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday emphasised the agriculture sector, proposing a push on high-value crops such as Coconur, sandalwood, cocoa and cashew in coastal areas. Commenting on Budget 2026, Mr Sandeep Sabharwal, Group CEO, SLCM Ltd, suggests it is a "bold vision" for Indian agriculture, achieving seven per cent sector growth and advancing rural poverty alleviation. Credit-linked subsidies for livestock Farmer Producer Organisations in animal husbandry and aquaculture promise robust rural employment, driving sustainable prosperity,' says Mr Sabharwal. "Integrating Agri Stack’s digital farmer records with ICAR’s validated package of practices can support more precise, need-based decisions at the field level. She said the announcement of a credit-linked subsidy programme to promote entrepreneurship in animal husbandry, including dairy, is a timely step.

Source: dna February 01, 2026 10:27 UTC