Modi Govt's Budget 2026: Big Boost for Farmers with Agri-Tech, Cashew, Sandalwood Focus

• Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced revolutionary measures for agriculture and horticulture in Budget 2026, aiming for self-sufficiency in cashew and coconut.
• Plans include establishing processing units for cashew, promoting sandalwood cultivation with state cooperation, and introducing new legal changes to aid farmers.
• Expansion of expensive dry fruit cultivation (almonds, walnuts, pine nuts) and introduction of new varieties in old orchards are aimed at increasing farmer profits and meeting domestic needs.
• A multilingual AI tool for farmers will integrate various agricultural portals, offering personalized advice in regional languages on crop planning, climate, and fertilizer use.
• Agri-tech startups will drive value-added changes in crop storage and packaging, with the overall goal to modernize agriculture, improve rural employment, and double farmers' income.

Why It Matters: Budget 2026 focuses on modernizing agriculture, boosting farmer income, and achieving self-sufficiency through technology and crop diversification.