Budget 2026-27 Charts ‘Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas’ Path to Viksit Bharat
Sitharaman flags farmer income push, Divyangjan empowerment and focused growth for Purvodaya and North-East
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 1st Jan: Presenting the Union Budget 2026-27 in Parliament, Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman said the third Kartavya of the government aligns with the vision of Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas to ensure inclusive access to opportunities across families, communities, regions and sectors.
Outlining the roadmap, the Finance Minister said the focus would be on increasing farmer incomes, empowering Divyangjan, supporting vulnerable sections with mental health and trauma care, and accelerating development in the Purvodaya States and the North-East Region.
Boost to Farmer Incomes
To raise agricultural earnings, the Budget proposes integrated development of 500 reservoirs and Amrit Sarovars, strengthening fisheries value chains in coastal areas, and improving market linkages through start-ups, women-led groups and Fish Farmer Producer Organisations.
Animal husbandry was identified as a key driver of rural income growth. The government will support entrepreneurship in the sector through a credit-linked subsidy programme, modernisation of livestock enterprises, creation of integrated dairy and poultry value chains, and promotion of Livestock Farmer Producer Organisations.
High-Value Crops and Dedicated Schemes
The Budget places strong emphasis on high-value agriculture. New initiatives include:
- A Coconut Promotion Scheme to replace old and non-productive trees and enhance productivity in major coconut-growing states
- A dedicated programme for Indian cashew and cocoa to boost self-reliance, exports and global branding by 2030
- Support for restoring the Indian sandalwood ecosystem through focused cultivation and post-harvest processing
- A targeted programme for walnuts, almonds and pine nuts in hilly regions to rejuvenate orchards, promote high-density farming and engage youth in value addition
India, the Finance Minister noted, is the world’s largest coconut producer, with nearly 30 million people dependent on the crop for their livelihood.
Bharat-VISTAAR AI Platform
As a technology-led intervention, the Budget announced Bharat-VISTAAR (Virtually Integrated System to Access Agricultural Resources)—a multilingual AI-based platform integrating AgriStack portals and ICAR agricultural practice packages. The system aims to provide customised advisories, improve decision-making, enhance productivity and reduce risks for farmers.
Taken together, the Budget’s third Kartavya underlines the government’s commitment to inclusive growth, regional balance and technology-driven agriculture, reinforcing the long-term vision of a Viksit Bharat.
