Discussions around the Union Budget for the financial year 2026–27 have gained momentum, with strong indications that the central government may significantly increase funding for the Digital Agriculture Mission. According to media reports, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is expected to announce additional allocations in the upcoming budget to expand and strengthen this ambitious initiative.
AgriStack is the most critical and ambitious component of the Digital Agriculture Mission. Under this initiative, a comprehensive digital database of farmers across the country is being created by integrating land records, crop data and farmer details onto a single platform. This integration is expected to ensure that government welfare schemes reach the right beneficiaries on time.
The mission was launched last year with an allocation of ₹2,817 crore and was initially approved till the end of FY 2026. The government is now considering enhanced funding to improve its effectiveness and scale.
Sources indicate that the Digital Agriculture Mission will play a key role in improving the accuracy and efficiency of crop estimation, the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme, the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, and other Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) programs. The use of verified digital data is expected to curb false claims and ensure timely benefits for eligible farmers.
In the Union Budget 2024–25, the government announced the creation of a Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) for agriculture within three years to cover farmers and their land holdings. The objective is to establish a standardised and single source of agricultural information.
This DPI framework includes AgriStack, the Agriculture Decision Support System (DSS), and soil profile maps, which together aim to enable data-driven policymaking and smarter farm-level decisions.
The Ministry of Agriculture is preparing to launch a new digital platform called VISTAAR (Virtually Integrated System to Access Agricultural Resources). Through this platform, farmers will gain access to virtual classrooms offering guidance on modern and best farming practices. In addition, VISTAAR will simplify farmers’ access to credit facilities, crop insurance services and digital marketplaces, helping them connect more efficiently with financial and commercial ecosystems.
Experts believe that the Digital Agriculture Mission will help Indian agriculture move beyond traditional practices towards data-driven and smart farming models. If the expected budgetary boost materialises, the mission could play a crucial role in increasing farm incomes and promoting sustainable agriculture across the country.
MSP Framework Likely to Become More Robust in 2026:
In 2026, the government is expected to take further steps to strengthen and expand the Minimum Support Price (MSP) framework. Along with wheat and paddy, the scope of assured procurement for pulses, oilseeds and coarse grains is likely to be widened.
This move would directly benefit farmers by reducing their dependence on volatile market prices. The government is also working on strategies under the Price Stabilisation Fund to protect farmers from sharp fluctuations in agricultural markets, ensuring fair and remunerative prices for their produce.
The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana is also set to become more efficient and farmer-centric in 2026. The government plans to speed up insurance payouts in case of crop loss and simplify the claim settlement process.
Special emphasis will be placed on providing immediate relief during natural disasters such as floods, droughts and hailstorms. The weather-based insurance model is also expected to be strengthened to offer better protection against sudden climatic changes.
Q1. What is the Digital Agriculture Mission?
It is a government initiative to digitise agriculture using farmer databases, land records, and technology-driven services.
Q2. What is AgriStack?
AgriStack is a unified digital database of farmers integrating land, crop, and personal details.
Q3. How will farmers benefit from the Union Budget 2026–27?
Through better MSP coverage, faster crop insurance payouts, and improved DBT delivery.
Q4. What is the VISTAAR platform?
A digital platform offering training, credit, insurance, and market access to farmers.
Q5. How does Khetivyapar fit into digital agriculture?
Khetivyapar supports transparent agri-trade and benefits from digital infrastructure like AgriStack and DPI.
