Budget 2026: India Must Recognize Agricultural Labor as Key Economic Asset
Opinion
C
CNBC TV18•29-01-2026, 09:01
Budget 2026: India Must Recognize Agricultural Labor as Key Economic Asset
- •India has nearly 140 million agricultural laborers, a significant economic constituency often overlooked in policy discussions.
- •Despite employing 45% of the workforce, agriculture contributes less than 18% to GDP, highlighting a major productivity and labor organization issue.
- •Agricultural labor markets are largely informal, leading to underemployment, volatile wages, and a lack of portable identity or recognized skills for workers.
- •The absence of organized labor systems constrains horticulture, India's promising agricultural growth engine, impacting quality and global trade competitiveness.
- •Budget 2026 should shift from welfare-centric schemes to integrated rural work systems, leveraging technology for better labor alignment, skill certification, and portable benefits.
Why It Matters: Budget 2026 must formalize agricultural labor as an economic asset for India's inclusive growth and productivity.
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