Editor’s note: Budget announcements are still evolving as more details, fine print, and official notifications emerge. This explainer highlights the key updates reported so far and what they could mean for people and communities impacted by these changes.

In the Union Budget 2026, presented on February 1, 2026, the Finance Minister announced a major push towards modernising Indian agriculture and boosting rural growth. 

She unveiled a suite of technology-led initiatives that signal a shift toward AI-driven farming support and integrated rural livelihoods under the government’s Viksit Bharat vision.

The minister also announced the launch of ‘Bharat Vistar’ — a multilingual, AI-powered platform designed to integrate existing digital agriculture resources and deliver tailored advisory........

© The Better India