New Delhi: On February 1, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman unveiled the Union Budget for 2025-26 in Parliament. This budget emphasizes development across ten sectors, including help for the poor, youth, farmers, and women. While agriculture got attention—like support for high-yield seeds—the environment didn’t get as much focus this year.
This year’s budget continues a trend from 2024-25, promoting energy security. It emphasizes transitioning to solar, wind, and nuclear energy with increased funding for solar initiatives and a new “Nuclear Energy Mission.” However, experts are raising concerns about the ecological impact of these so-called green energy solutions.
Agriculture: A Key Focus
Sitharaman introduced the “Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana,” aimed at improving agricultural productivity in 100 districts with low crop yields. This initiative seeks to promote sustainable farming practices, improve irrigation, and boost post-harvest storage. It could potentially benefit around 1.7 crore farmers.
Another program highlighted is the National Mission on High Yielding Seeds. This initiative will enhance research into seeds that yield more, resist pests, and can adapt to climate challenges. Currently, over 100 new seed varieties will become commercially available.
Sitharaman also addressed the fisheries sector, outlining plans to create an enabling framework for sustainable fishing in the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone. However, she didn’t specify what sustainable practices would be adopted, leaving many questions open. Overfishing and climate change continue to threaten fish populations in India.
Concerns from Farmers
Notably, the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme was absent from the minister’s speech, and its funding didn’t increase. Despite agriculture being termed one of the “four powerful engines” of development, budget allocations for various important agricultural programs have decreased. Many farmer organizations expressed dissatisfaction with this trend.
The Samyukt Kisan Morcha pointed out a significant decline in budget allocations for agriculture, citing a drop from Rs. 3,76,720 crore in 2024-25 to Rs. 3,71,687 crore this year. They criticized the government for not addressing farmer income stability and warned of the challenges posed by climate change.
Experts also called for more attention to farmers’ income and sustainability measures in agriculture to address the impending challenges they face.
Boosting Clean Energy Manufacturing
In her speech, Sitharaman announced a “National Manufacturing Mission” focused on boosting clean energy production. This mission will support various industries while promoting the manufacturing of technology for solar, electric vehicles, and battery systems.
The budget significantly increased allocations for solar programs, with funding for the Prime Minister’s Surya Ghar Yojana rising by 80%, reaching Rs. 20,000 crore. This program encourages the installation of solar panels in homes, providing substantial subsidies for costs.
The KUSUM program also saw its budget rise, reflecting fruitful implementation on the ground. Experts noted that this budget signals India’s commitment to clean energy and supports the growth of a greener economy.
However, there are calls for a more comprehensive approach to ensure electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure and other environmental measures are adequately addressed. The budget’s focus on clean energy is promising, but practical implementation remains a challenge.
Expanding Nuclear Energy
In the same address, Sitharaman mentioned plans for India to develop 100 gigawatts of nuclear energy by 2047, which she described as essential for energy transition. A “Nuclear Energy Mission” will also be launched with a budget of Rs. 20,000 crore for research into small modular reactors, aiming to have several operational by 2033.
While expanding nuclear energy could diversify India’s energy sources, the associated costs and safety concerns are significant issues that need careful consideration.
Environmental Budget Increases
Despite critiques, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy received a sizeable budget allocation this year of Rs. 26,549 crore, up from last year. The Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change’s budget also increased slightly, reflecting some commitment toward environmental issues.
Programs aimed at monitoring air quality in the National Capital Region received additional funds as well, which is crucial given recent air quality concerns. Overall, while certain areas saw increased spending, there’s still a need for targeted environmental initiatives to ensure a healthier balance between development and ecological preservation.
In summary, while the budget highlights initiatives in agriculture and clean energy, several critical issues, such as sustainable practices and farmers’ income stability, require more attention for a balanced approach to India’s development goals.
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energy security,environment budget,Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman,nuclear energy,Union budget 2025
