New Delhi, Feb. 2 -- The Economic Survey called agriculture the "sector of the future" and the FM echoed this sentiment in her budget speech, emphasizing garib, youth, annadata and nari. Despite this focus, key gaps remain. Firstly, there is a budget cut for agriculture ministry. Despite the rhetoric, the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare (MOA) saw a Rs.3,500 crore budget cut-a 2.5% reduction from last year.

The budget undertook long awaited reforms under institutional credit by enhancing loan limits under Kisan Credit Cards (KCC) scheme. Under its ongoing Modified Interest Subvention Scheme (MISS), the centre provides concessional short-term loans to the farmers practicing crop husbandry and other allied activities like anima...