Union Budget 2026-27: New Initiatives for Livestock, Fisheries, and High-Value Agriculture

Key facts

• Finance Minister (FM) Nirmala Sitharaman announced a loan-linked capital subsidy scheme to increase the availability of veterinary professionals by more than 20,000.
• The veterinary scheme will support the establishment of private colleges, veterinary hospitals, diagnostic laboratories, and breeding facilities.
• The government will undertake the integrated development of 500 reservoirs and Amrit Sarovars to strengthen the fisheries value chain.
• Fisheries development will be enabled through market linkages involving startups, women-led groups, and Fish Farmers Producer Organisations (FFPOs).
• A credit-linked subsidy programme will be launched for animal husbandry entrepreneurship development and the modernisation of livestock enterprises.
• The Coconut Promotion Scheme aims to replace old and non-productive trees with new varieties in major coconut-growing states.
• A dedicated programme for Indian cashew and cocoa aims to achieve self-reliance and transform them into premium global brands by 2030.
• The government will partner with states to promote sandalwood cultivation and post-harvest processing to restore the Indian sandalwood ecosystem.
• A dedicated programme for hilly regions will support the rejuvenation of old orchards and high-density cultivation of walnuts, almonds, and pine nuts.