With the objective of doubling farmers’ income, the Government has adopted a multi-pronged strategy focused on raising productivity, improving market outcomes, and strengthening income resilience, the Economic Survey 2025-26 has stated. The Survey, tabled in Parliament by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, emphasises that progress towards this objective is being driven by policy, institutional, and mission-mode interventions across crops and regions.
These measures span input and technology support, market-linked reforms, income transfers, and risk mitigation mechanisms, reflecting a comprehensive and medium-term approach to strengthening farm incomes.
Mission-Mode Interventions to Raise Productivity: NFSNM
The National Food Security Mission (NFSM), implemented since 2007, aims to enhance productivity and production of rice, wheat, pulses, coarse cereals (maize and barley), commercial crops (cotton, jute and sugarcane), and nutri-cereals (Shree Anna) through area expansion and productivity improvement.
In FY 2024-25, the scheme was renamed the National Food Security and Nutrition Mission (NFSNM), reinforcing its dual focus on output growth and nutritional security.
Edible Oils: Reducing Import Dependence
To address India’s structural dependence on edible oil imports, the Government is implementing the:
- National Mission on Edible Oils-Oil Seeds (NMEO-OS)
- National Mission on Edible Oils-Oil Palm (NMEO-OP)
These missions aim to achieve near self-sufficiency by 2030-31, targeting production of nearly 70 million tonnes through productivity enhancement, improved varieties, adoption of good agricultural practices, private sector participation, cluster-based approaches, and assured procurement.
Between 2014-15 and 2024-25:
- Area under oilseeds increased by over 18 per cent
- Production rose by nearly 55 per cent
- Productivity improved by around 31 per cent
As a result, domestic edible oil availability increased from 86.30 lakh tonnes in 2015-16 to 121.75 lakh tonnes in 2023-24, while import dependence declined from 63.2 per cent to 56.25 per cent, despite rising consumption.
Mission for Atmanirbharta in Pulses
To reduce reliance on imported pulses, the Government approved the Mission for Atmanirbharta in Pulses on 1 October 2025. The mission seeks to achieve self-sufficiency in pulses through targeted productivity enhancement, varietal development, and procurement support, strengthening domestic protein availability and price stability.
Prime Minister Dhan Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PM-DDKY)
To address regional imbalances in agricultural development, the Union Budget 2025 announced the Prime Minister Dhan Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PM-DDKY) for the development of 100 Aspirational Agricultural Districts.
Approved in July 2025, the scheme will be implemented for six years starting FY 2025-26 and focuses on:
- Enhancing agricultural productivity
- Promoting crop diversification and sustainable practices
- Expanding post-harvest storage at panchayat and block levels
- Improving irrigation infrastructure
- Facilitating access to short-term and long-term institutional credit
The scheme aims to drive district-level transformation through integrated productivity and infrastructure interventions.
Crop Insurance and Risk Mitigation
The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) continues to provide risk protection against crop losses due to natural calamities, pests, diseases, and adverse weather events.
In FY 2024-25:
- 4.19 crore farmers were insured
- Coverage increased by 32 per cent compared to FY 2022-23
- Area covered expanded to 6.2 crore hectares, a 20 per cent increase
Expanded insurance coverage is critical for reducing income volatility and encouraging farm investment, the Survey notes.
Agriculture and Inclusive Growth
The Economic Survey underscores that agriculture and allied activities contribute nearly one-fifth of India’s national income at current prices. Given the sector’s large share in employment, strengthening agricultural performance remains central to:
- Inclusive growth
- Food and nutrition security
- Rural income stability
Conclusion
The Economic Survey 2025-26 concludes that the objective of doubling farmers’ income is being pursued through a calibrated mix of productivity enhancement, self-sufficiency missions, district-focused interventions, income support, and risk mitigation frameworks. Sustained policy and institutional reforms across crops, regions, and value chains remain essential to delivering durable gains in farm incomes and long-term agricultural growth. (Source: PIB PR ID 2219956)
Economic Survey of India 2025-26 dated 29/01/2026