Mandya to get Agricultural University; Siddaramaiah’s budget boosts farmers

Mandya is set to get its own Agricultural University as part of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s 2025-26 budget, which has allocated significant funds for the agriculture sector. The budget focuses on improving irrigation, promoting modern farming techniques, and boosting farmers' income.

Also read: Karnataka Budget 2025: From tunnel roads to Metro extension, here’s what Bengaluru got

Key Announcements for Farmers:

• New Agricultural University in Mandya

• • ₹25 crore allocated for its establishment
  • Classes to begin this year

• Raitha Samriddhi Yojana for Small and Marginal Farmers

• • ₹428 crore assistance for 50,000 farmers
  • Support for agricultural mechanization

• Irrigation & Water Conservation

• • ₹440 crore for installing drip and sprinkler irrigation units
  • Construction of over 3 lakh agricultural wells under Krishi Bhagya Yojana
  • Target: 12,000 new wells this year

• Technology & Research in Agriculture

• • Adoption of AI and digital tools in farming
  • New phenotyping facility at GKVK, Bengaluru
  • Agriculture Research Centre at Muddebihal, Vijayapura
  • Feasibility study for a new agricultural college in Athani taluk
  • 58 new laboratories for testing fertilizers, seeds, and biofertilizers

• Support for Crop Development

• • Introduction of new technologies for togari (pigeon pea) cultivation
  • Promotion of togari as an intercropping crop
  • Expert committee to redefine climate zones

• Boost for Organic Farming & Food Processing

• • Joida (Uttara Kannada) declared Karnataka’s first organic taluk
  • Integrated soil and water management in 3,000 hectares
  • Promotion of organic farming equipment startups
  • 6,000 small food processing units to be set up
  • 14 general incubation centers
  • 5,000 small processing units to be established

With a total budget of ₹7,145 crore for the Agriculture & Horticulture Department, the government aims to make Karnataka a leading state in agriculture. Farmers and experts alike have welcomed these initiatives, hoping they will enhance productivity and income across the state.