Sitharaman Targets 2030 for Indian Cashew, Cocoa as 'Premium Global Brands'

• Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman unveiled an expanded push for high-value agriculture in Budget 2026, focusing on coconut, cashew, and cocoa.
• The government aims to support high-value crops in coastal regions (coconut, cocoa, cashew, sandalwood), North East (agar trees), and hilly areas (almonds, walnuts, pine nuts).
• A Coconut Production Scheme will increase output and productivity by replacing old trees with new, higher-yielding varieties.
• A dedicated program for cashew and cocoa seeks to reduce import dependence, strengthen domestic processing, and achieve 'premium global brands' status by 2030.
• The Budget also includes support for sandalwood cultivation, rejuvenation of old orchards, and expansion of high-density nut plantations to boost farmer incomes and value addition.

Why It Matters: Budget 2026 aims to transform Indian cashew and cocoa into premium global brands by 2030, boosting high-value agriculture.