The agriculture sector received a 2.6% increase in the Union Budget 2026-27, with an additional ₹3,000 crore compared to last year. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a budget of ₹1.30 lakh crore for agriculture, up from the ₹1.27 lakh crore allocated for 2025-26. However, this is slightly above the revised ₹1.23 lakh crore spent last year. The Fertiliser Ministry's budget rose by about 8.5% to ₹1.70 lakh crore. Despite these boosts, farmers' groups criticized the budget for ignoring their key demands like a statutory minimum support price (MSP), farm debt relief, and solutions to global trade challenges. The Kisan Samman Nidhi, a financial aid program for farmers, remains at ₹63,500 crore. Notably, the Agriculture Research and Education allocation fell 4.8% to ₹9,967.40 crore from ₹10,466.39 crore last year. The Food and Public Distribution department's fund increased by 10% to ₹2.35 lakh crore, mainly for food subsidies. Mrs. Sitharaman also flagged ₹350 crore for high-value crops such as coconut, cashew, and sandalwood to boost income and jobs. A ₹150 crore budget went to Bharat-VISTAAR, an AI tool designed to connect agricultural data and improve productivity with personalized advice. Farmers' groups, including the All India Kisan Sabha and Bharatiya Kisan Sangh, expressed disappointment. Mohini Mohan Sharma, BKS general secretary, said, "There is a difference in what Government promised and what is there in the budget." Punjab farmer leader Sukhpal Singh added, "There is no allocation for a statutory MSP, crop diversification, or farm debt. Cotton farmers face distress with a sharp fall in cultivation and rising suicides." The Union Budget offers some support but falls short of farmers' urgent needs, say critics.