Budget Boosts Employment and Entrepreneurship in Animal Husbandry Sector – Pankaja Munde

Mumbai, Feb 2026 : The Union Budget presented today by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is a significant step towards a developed India. Provisions made in the budget for agriculture and animal husbandry are highly welcome, and these measures are expected to give a major boost to quality employment generation in rural and semi-urban areas, said Chhattisgarh’s Animal Husbandry and Environment Minister Pankaja Munde.

Minister Pankaja Munde welcomed the Union Budget presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. Reacting to the announcements, she said that the benefits declared for the animal husbandry sector, including the establishment of new veterinary colleges and laboratories, will significantly help livestock farmers across the country. She expressed her gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for these initiatives.

Pankaja Munde added that this budget is crucial for positioning India at the forefront of the global economy. It will accelerate infrastructure development and investment, particularly for women and underprivileged communities, and strengthen India’s global standing. She said, “This budget will give new direction to Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives.”

The concessions and facilities provided for agriculture, animal husbandry, and fisheries in the budget will create employment opportunities directly in villages. She expressed confidence that loan-linked subsidy programs for animal husbandry, modernization of livestock industries, and the creation of integrated value chains in dairy and poultry will open up new entrepreneurial opportunities for farmers and youth.

Animal husbandry contributes about 16% to total agricultural income, and it plays a critical role in the livelihoods of poor and marginal landholding families. In this context, Minister Munde highlighted that the proposed long-term loan-linked capital subsidy scheme for private-sector veterinary and allied veterinary colleges, hospitals, diagnostic laboratories, and breeding facilities will be extremely important for increasing the number of veterinary professionals by over 20,000.

She also noted that the government’s decision to promote collaboration between Indian and foreign institutions will accelerate modern technology adoption, research, and skill development in the sector. The state government, in coordination with the central government, will take necessary steps to ensure that the benefits of these provisions effectively reach livestock farmers, dairy producers, and poultry farmers across Maharashtra.