India, Feb. 1 -- India will launch a new programme across 100 districts to boost farm productivity, along with measures to expand irrigation and credit limit to farmers, Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday said while presenting Union Budget 2025-26.

Highlighting agriculture as an engine of growth, the FM said the government would roll out a PM Dhandhanya Krishi Yojana, which will target regions with low farm productivity and crop intensity, aiming to reach an estimated 10.7 million farmers.

The total allocation for the ministry, however, saw a cut of 2.9%. Compared to Rs.1.31 lakh crore allocated in 2024-25, as per revised estimates (RE), the outlay for 2025-26 stood at Rs.1.27 lakh crore. The amount for capital expend...