Reacting to the Union Budget FY27, Pinakin Simaria, Head – Agri Business Group, Kotak Mahindra Bank, said the Budget signals a decisive long-term shift in policy stance by simultaneously prioritising innovation, investment-led growth and climate resilience. Simaria said the Budget ensures continued focus on small and marginal farmers (SMFs) through the “Third–Kartavya Framework”, which emphasises productivity enhancement and entrepreneurship. He noted that agriculture is now being treated as a “credible engine of economic growth”, underpinned by a growth rate of 4.45 per cent between FY16 and FY25—the highest recorded in recent decades.
Highlighting key policy measures, Simaria pointed to the Budget’s strong technological optimism, including initiatives such as Bharat Vistar, promotion of high-value crop diversification, and sector modernisation through the proposed Seed Bill 2025/2026. He said these steps are expected to strengthen the agricultural value chain while improving farm-level efficiency and resilience.
He also welcomed the possibility of enhanced fiscal support for research and development, particularly to encourage innovation in crop-protection solutions and seed development. According to Simaria, such measures could accelerate the adoption of advanced agricultural technologies and support sustainable farming practices. Overall, he said the Budget’s integrated approach reinforces agriculture’s role in driving inclusive growth while preparing the sector to meet future climate and productivity challenges.