Fri Feb 28 09:24:24 UTC 2025: ## Andhra Pradesh Allocates ₹48,341 Crore for Agriculture in 2025-26 Budget

**Vijayawada, February 28, 2025** – Andhra Pradesh’s Agriculture Minister, K. Atchannaidu, today presented a ₹48,341.14 crore budget for the agriculture and allied sectors for the fiscal year 2025-26. The budget, a significant portion of the state’s overall ₹3.2 lakh crore budget, prioritizes irrigation and farmer welfare.

The largest allocation, ₹12,903.41 crore, is earmarked for the maintenance of irrigation projects. Significant funds have also been allocated for nine-hour free power supply to agricultural consumers (₹12,773.25 crore) and various farmer welfare and development programs (₹12,401.58 crore).

The budget projects a 22.86% growth rate for the agriculture sector’s Gross Value Added (GVA), aiming for a 15% increase through increased crop productivity and expansion of natural farming under the “Vision Swarna Andhra” initiative. Specific allocations include ₹9,400 crore for the Annadata Sukhibhava-PM Kisan scheme, ₹6,026.87 crore for agriculture under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, and ₹1,023 crore for weather-based crop insurance.

Further allocations include funds for interest subsidy on crop loans (₹250 crore), subsidized seeds (₹240 crore), farm mechanization (₹219.65 crore), and natural farming initiatives (₹62 crore). Horticulture received ₹930.88 crore, with substantial portions allocated to the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana and the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture. A significant ₹300 crore from the ₹315 crore agricultural marketing budget is dedicated to the Price Stabilization Fund, aimed at mitigating price fluctuations for crucial crops like chillies.

The Animal Husbandry and Cooperation Departments received ₹1,112.07 crore and ₹239.85 crore respectively, while the Fisheries Department received ₹540.19 crore, including funds for the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana. Agricultural universities also received a combined allocation of ₹797.79 crore. The Minister highlighted that “farmers and agri-tech” are key components of the Swarna Andhra-2047 plan.

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