Chandigarh, March 3 -- The "hopes" of Haryana's cultivators once again took centre stage as chief minister Nayab Singh Saini, who also holds the finance portfolio, presented the state Budget on Monday with primary focus on agriculture and allied services. Describing farmers as the bedrock of Haryana's economy and social stability, Saini positioned the government's 2026-27 roadmap around their concerns and allocated Rs.8,320 crore, up from Rs.7,651 crore spent in 2025-26 as per the revised estimates. From a renewed push for cotton and crop diversification to horticulture, dairy, fishery and organic farming, the Budget unveiled a slew of steps aimed at boosting income of people engaged in agriculture and allied sectors that forms the core of primary sector and contributed 16.9% to the state economy during the current fiscal. "The hopes of farmers guide the direction of our government," Saini said, announcing an additional Rs.2,000 per acre bonus for those opting for pulses, oilseeds and cotton instead of paddy. Under the Mera Pani-Meri Virasat Yojana, the Rs.8,000 per acre incentive for farmers not cultivating paddy will continue. Indigenous cotton cultivation will get a boost, with the per-acre incentive enhanced from Rs.3,000 to Rs.4,000. Subsidies of Rs.1,200 per acre for paddy straw management and Rs.4,500 per acre for adopting direct seeded rice (DSR) will continue. At least 100 farmers from each district will be sent on exposure visits to other states to learn modern agricultural practices and explore new markets. Saini said that under the Sugarcane Technology Mission, the incentive for adopting wide-row sugarcane planting will be increased from Rs.3,000 to Rs.5,000 per acre. The incentive for single-bud plantation will also rise to Rs.5,000 per acre. In a major thrust on natural and organic farming, certified farmers, including those accredited by APEDA, will receive Rs.10,000 per acre annually for five years. Around 800 acre agriculture department land will be leased exclusively to farmers committed to practising organic farming for at least 10 years, while a separate policy will promote such farming on panchayat land. The Haryana state seed certification agency will be designated as the certifying authority for organic produce. Dedicated market spaces for natural and organic farmers will be created in several districts. APEDA-accredited testing labs and certification centres will also be set up to enable better market access. "I propose to promote organic farming extensively by providing an 80% subsidy on organic fertilisers to farmers registered on MFMB portal," Saini said, adding that licensing norms for sale of organic fertiliser packets up to 5kg will be relaxed. In collaboration with Haryana Agricultural University, a new "Smart Agriculture" scheme will promote natural farming using modern techniques . To strengthen direct marketing, the Haryana State Agricultural Marketing Board will establish "Gramin Haat Mandis" across the state, linked to farmer producer organisation (FPO) pack houses. The first mandi will be inaugurated on December 23, on Kisan Diwas. Saini proposed to reorganise horticulture department and rename as the Horticulture and Marketing Department to integrate production, value addition and marketing support. Saini proposed to hike compensation for fruit crop damage due to natural disasters from Rs.40,000 to Rs.50,000 per acre, and for vegetables and spices from Rs.30,000 to Rs.40,000 per acre. A Haryana Potato Seed Act will be introduced to certify tissue culture-based seed lines, facilitating production of 7.5 lakh quintal quality seed annually. The fish farmers will get new soil and water testing laboratories in Yamunanagar, Rohtak and Faridabad at a cost of Rs.9 crore, while the government fish seed farms in Jyotisar and Sampla will be modernised with a Rs.20 crore allocation. Under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, two modern fish markets will be set up in Hisar and Faridabad with Rs.100 crore cost and a fish processing unit will be established in Karnal with Rs.50 crore. According to the state government, 700 new Har Hith stores wil be opened; in Sirsa, Rs.25 crore PPP-mode juice processing plant under the Vita brand will be set up; two new milk processing plants with a capacity of 5 lakh litre per day each will be established in Rewari and Ambala at Rs.600-crore cost; and 2,000 new Vita booths and milk bars will be opened with 20% reservation for women from self-help groups....