Agri experts praise tech push, slam R&D funding gap

Haryana's agriculture Budget signals progress for the farm sector, with fresh emphasis on diversification and technology-driven farming, experts say. However, they criticise inadequate funding for key schemes, given the massive capital needed to modernise agriculture.

The Budget brings relief to farmers long awaiting tubewell connections. It proposes an Agri-Discom power distribution utility for agriculture and prioritises solar connections for farms.

Dr Ram Kumar Khatkar, retired agriculture economist from Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, noted the absence of dedicated funds for research and development (R&D) amid mounting climatic challenges.

"The Budget raises allocation by 4.68 per cent for agriculture and allied sectors, targeting rural infrastructure like canals, mandis, and solar-powered irrigation. Yet this falls short of modernisation needs," Dr Khatkar said. He highlighted the lack of restored grant-in-aid for HAU – Haryana's sole agriculture university and R&D pillar – which could drive a second Green Revolution.

He welcomed measures for natural farming and crop diversification under Mera Pani Meri Virasat (MPMV), but called provisions inadequate. Dr Khatkar praised expanding saline/brackish land reclamation to 1.40 lakh acres in Bhiwani, Rohtak, Gurugram, and elsewhere, plus shifting from paddy to pulses, oilseeds, and cotton. Promoting desi cotton is a positive step, he added.

The All India Kisan Sabha, meanwhile, slammed the budget as a letdown for farmers, exposing a lack of vision on core issues. "The government touts a Rs 2.23 lakh crore total Budget, but agriculture gets no meaningful increase," said Balbir Singh of AIKS. "A declining share for agriculture makes priority claims mere rhetoric."

It condemned the Budget for absence of announcement of subsidy on key agricultural inputs such as fertilizers, seeds, pesticides, etc., to reduce the rising cost of cultivation. Besides, there is also no concrete provision regarding crop procurement or a legal guarantee of Minimum Support Price (MSP), which is the foremost demand of farmers, it said adding that it also had no mention of loan waivers or a comprehensive interest-free credit scheme.

HAU Vice-Chancellor Prof BR Kamboj has termed the budget as farmer-friendly which will help increase the farmers’ income, reduce agricultural costs and aimed at promoting modern technology.