The complete allotment to the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare in Budget 2023-24 stands at around Rs 1.15 crore against the last year’s approximately Rs 1.10 lakh crore. This is a hike of around 4.6 percent.

1.Agriculture Accelerator Fund

The government has created the Agriculture Accelerator Fund to support young professionals in launching agriculture startups that provide affordable solutions to farmers’ challenges and increase productivity and profitability with modern technology.

2. Atmanirbhar Clean Plant Programme

The government has launched the Atmanirbhar Clean Plant Programme, with a budget of 2,200 crore rupees, in order to enhance the availability of disease-free, high-quality planting materials for horticultural crops of high value. This initiative is aimed at improving the overall quality of these crops and contributing to the growth and development of the horticulture industry.

3.Digital Public Infrastructure for Agriculture

Digital public infrastructure for agriculture will be built as an open source, open standard interoperable public good. This will enable inclusive, farmer-centric solutions through relevant information services for crop planning and health, improved access to farm inputs, credit, and insurance, help for crop estimation, market intelligence, and support for the growth of the agri-tech industry and start-ups.

4.Cotton crop productivity enhancement 

To enhance the productivity of extra-long staple cotton, we will adopt a cluster-based and value chain approach through Public Private Partnerships (PPP). This will mean collaboration between farmers, state, and industry for input supplies, extension services, and market linkages.

5.Global Hub for Millets

The Union Budget highlighted that to make India a global hub for Shree Anna Research, the Indian Institute of Millet Research in Hyderabad will be made into a center of excellence for sharing bestpractices, research, and technology at the international level.

 6.GOBARdhan scheme

Budget 2023-24 introduced a new scheme to provide incentives for the adoption of alternative and natural fertilizers. The establishment of 500 new ‘waste to wealth’ plants under GOBARdhan (Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan) scheme has been proposed for promoting a circular economy. These will include 200 compressed biogas (CBG) plants, including 75 plants in urban areas, and 300 community or cluster-based plants at a total investment of ₹ 10,000 crores. 

Finance Minister also announced a proposal for introducing a 5 percent CBG mandate in due course, for all organizations marketing natural and biogas, “Forthe collection of bio-mass and distribution of bio-manure, appropriate fiscal support will be provided.”, she added

Source:https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1895291