Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday stressed the need to fully utilize India’s agricultural potential to achieve bigger development targets. Speaking at the post-budget webinar on agriculture and rural prosperity, PM Modi highlighted that the government’s latest budget not only ensures policy continuity but also expands the vision of a developed India.
Emphasizing two key objectives — agricultural growth and rural prosperity — PM Modi said, “We need to utilize the full agricultural potential of the country to reach even bigger targets. Agriculture remains the primary engine of development, and we aim to ensure that no farmer is left behind.”
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to empowering farmers, the Prime Minister praised the impact of the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi, which has directly transferred nearly Rs 3.75 lakh crore to the bank accounts of 11 crore farmers over the past six years.
Highlighting India’s record-breaking agricultural output, PM Modi noted that production has risen from 265 million tonnes to over 330 million tonnes in the past decade, while horticulture production has surpassed 350 million tonnes. He credited initiatives like the ‘Beej Se Bazar Tak’ program and the ‘PM Dhan Dhanya Krishi Yojana,’ aimed at developing 100 districts with the lowest agricultural productivity.
PM Modi also spoke about rising demand in horticulture, dairy, and fisheries, driven by increasing nutritional awareness. Programs like the PM Matsya Sampada Yojana have doubled fish production and exports since 2019.
The Prime Minister underlined efforts to create a farmer-centric digital infrastructure, ensuring the seamless delivery of government benefits. He also pointed to rural development initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin, which has provided homes to millions, and the success of self-help groups in empowering women.
As part of this vision, PM Modi reiterated the goal of creating 3 crore “Lakhpati Didis,” with over 1.25 crore women already achieving this milestone. He concluded by affirming the government’s dedication to agricultural prosperity and rural development as a key driver in India’s journey toward becoming a developed nation.