Ahead of the upcoming Union Budget, Anand Chandra, Co-Founder and Executive Director at Arya.ag, has shared his perspective on priorities for agriculture, rural infrastructure, and the agritech ecosystem. 

Anand Chandra, Co-Founder & Executive Director, Arya.ag, says “Over the years, we have seen how near-farm infrastructure, like micro-warehousing and scientific storage, helps farmers avoid distress sales and improve income. Timely and accessible credit at the farmgate has enabled more farmers, especially women and youth, to hold their produce and access better markets."

"In the upcoming budget, we hope to see continued support for these proven interventions. Decentralised infrastructure, inclusive finance, and stronger FPOs are essential to strengthen the rural economy and build climate resilience where it is needed most", he added.

According to Anand Chandra, the agritech startup ecosystem is also playing a vital role in this shift. Startups working on farm-level technologies, such as drones, AI-based quality grading, and climate advisories, are bringing precision, transparency, and scale to agricultural operations. These tools must be designed to work for smallholders: simple to use, affordable, and effective in low-resource settings. With the right support, such innovations can directly enhance productivity, reduce losses, and create new rural livelihoods.

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Inclusion happens when innovation is built for the field; when technology meets the realities of small farms and variable climates. Recent government support for agri-infrastructure and startups has created important momentum. This budget is an opportunity to build on that and strengthen what delivers lasting value at the last mile.