Agricultural Development is Crucial for Building a Developed India: Prime Minister Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that for building a developed India, the development of agriculture, modern farming and farmer empowerment are essential. Addressing the India Agriculture Conference in New Delhi, Mr. Modi said that agriculture is a part of India's culture and tradition.
The Prime Minister, citing a World Bank study, said that in 12 to 13 years, 50 crore people in the country have moved out of poverty. During this period, poverty in rural areas has also seen a notable decline, including small farmers and agricultural labourers. He said that in the same period, for the first time since independence, the agricultural sector achieved an average growth rate of more than four percent for a continuous decade. The Prime Minister highlighted the deep link between agricultural development and the country's progress.
The Prime Minister said that farmers and agricultural experts understand the need to change policies and farming methods over time. He said that with global markets, dietary habits, climate changes and technological shifts, it is necessary to prepare farmers for new opportunities. He said that merely filling grain stocks is not enough.
The Prime Minister, referring to the efforts made in the agricultural sector over the past decade, said that several steps have been taken to increase farmers' incomes. The country records agricultural exports of more than four lakh crore rupees each year. He said that India ranks first in the world in the production of milk, pulses, jute, rice and coarse cereals. Meanwhile, India is second in the production of wheat, cotton, fruits, vegetables and fish. The Prime Minister said that these figures reflect the growing capacity of Indian farmers.
The Prime Minister said that linking various types of revolutions in agriculture with a comprehensive approach can create new sources of income for farmers. He mentioned the progress made in solar energy under the Prime Minister Kusan Scheme. He said that under this scheme, about 12 lakh solar pumps have been provided to farmers. This helps farmers reduce electricity costs and earn additional income by generating solar energy on their farms.
Mr. Modi said that in India, many new opportunities ranging from agricultural engineering to agri‑startups are rapidly expanding. The government's focus is on turning farmers into agricultural entrepreneurs. The Prime Minister noted that in the past 12 years, the government has spent 16 lakh crore rupees to provide fertilizers to farmers at affordable rates. He said that despite price hikes in international markets due to the war in Iran and the Gulf region, fertilizers have been made available to farmers at affordable rates.
The Prime Minister said that the conference is being held at a time when festivals are being celebrated across the country. He said that most Indian festivals are linked to agriculture. Mr. Modi praised the organization of the conference, calling it a positive start.
Around two thousand farmers, policymakers, diplomats, industry representatives and agricultural scientists from across the country are participating in this two‑day conference. In addition, about 20 progressive farmers and Padma Shri awardees will share stories of their new initiatives and success linked to their struggles.
Source: Prasar Bharati (PB-SHABD)
Machine-translated from the official release
