Fri Feb 07 12:43:39 UTC 2025: ## Kerala Budget 2025-26: ₹1,000 Crore Boost for Agriculture

**Alappuzha, Kerala, February 7, 2025** – The Kerala State Budget for 2025-26 has allocated a significant ₹1,000 crore to revitalize the agriculture sector, with a particular focus on rice and horticulture development. Finance Minister K.N. Balagopal announced a comprehensive rice development program receiving ₹150 crore, including input assistance and land conservation incentives. This is part of a larger ₹727.40 crore plan for the agriculture sector, with an expected ₹115.50 crore in central assistance.

The budget earmarks ₹535.90 crore for crop husbandry and introduces a new scheme to establish Kerala as a “High-Value Horticulture Hub,” allocating ₹30 crore for this initiative. Other key allocations include: ₹78.45 crore for vegetable development; ₹18.92 crore for fruit, flower, and medicinal plant development; ₹43 crore for Kerala Agriculture University research; ₹73 crore for coconut development; and ₹100 crore for a World Bank-funded climate resilience project. Funds are also allocated for strengthening agricultural infrastructure, marketing, and post-harvest management.

Agriculture Minister P. Prasad expressed satisfaction with the budget’s support for the sector, highlighting its importance in revitalizing paddy and coconut cultivation despite financial constraints. The budget aims to boost production and productivity across various agricultural segments, contributing to economic growth and rural development in Kerala.

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