Livestock and Fisheries Push in Union Budget 2026–27

5 February 20261 min read

Why in the news

The Union Budget 2026–27 treated livestock and fisheries as the main engines of farm growth and raised their funding by 26.7%.

Ministry outlay: ₹8,915.26 crore for FY 2026–27 (Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying).
Theme: “Saturation + Professionalisation” for livestock.
Veterinary workforce: 20,000+ more professionals targeted.
Loan-linked capital subsidy (new): draws private players into vet colleges, animal hospitals, diagnostic labs and breeding/AI centres.
Rashtriya Gokul Mission: ₹800 crore for indigenous cattle breeds.
Entrepreneurship scheme: ₹500 crore credit-linked subsidy for livestock startups and FPOs.
Tax relief: deductions extended on cattle feed supply and inter-cooperative dividends.

Highest-ever allocation of ₹2,761.80 crore, a pillar of the Blue Economy.
500 reservoirs and Amrit Sarovars to be developed for inland fish output.
Coastal value chains strengthened, with focus on women-led groups and 200+ fisheries startups.

Reform	What changes
Duty-free inputs	Cap up from 1% to 3% of export turnover
EEZ / high-seas catch	Made duty-free
Foreign port landings	Counted as exports
Courier exports	₹10 lakh cap removed

Test yourself

1. In the Union Budget 2026–27, by what percentage did allocations to livestock and fisheries rise?

The notes state allocations rose by 26.7%.

2. What is the record allocation for the fisheries sector in the Union Budget 2026–27?

Fisheries got a highest-ever ₹2,761.80 crore; ₹800 crore is for Rashtriya Gokul Mission.

3. Under the 2026–27 Budget, the duty-free input import limit for seafood processing exports moved from 1% to what share of export turnover?

The cap was lifted from 1% to 3% of export turnover.