Agriculture Must Become Export-Oriented: Narendra Modi at ‘Agriculture and Rural Transformation’ Webinar

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addressed a post-Budget webinar on the topic of 'Agriculture and Rural Transformation'. He said that farming is an important part of the long-term growth story in the country and needs to become more competitive and outward-looking.

The PM said that the government has taken several steps to increase the income and security of farmers. He said that over 4 lakh crores have been transferred to 10 crore farmers through the PM Kisan Nidhi Yojana. Similarly, 2 lakh crores in claims have been paid to farmers under the PM Fasal Bima Yojana. This gives them a sense of security.

Modi said that this year's budget places special emphasis on high-value agriculture. Region-specific products such as coconut, cashew, cocoa, and sandalwood have been promoted. He explained that in states like Kerala and Tamil Nadu, production capacity is being affected due to old coconut trees, so special attention has been given to the coconut sector in the budget to provide additional benefits to farmers.

The Prime Minister said that a proposal to promote tempered nut crops in the Himalayan states has also been included in the budget. This will increase export-oriented production and create new employment opportunities in rural areas through processing and value addition.

He said that agriculture can be integrated with the global market by leveraging India's diverse climate and different agro-climatic zones. To achieve this, it is necessary to strengthen quality, branding, and standards so that Indian agricultural products can compete in the international market.

Emphasizing on chemical-free and natural farming, the Prime Minister said that health awareness is increasing globally and the demand for organic and chemical-free food products is growing. In such a scenario, natural farming could become a major opportunity for India to reach the global market. To this end, the government is also working to strengthen systems such as certification and laboratories.

He stated that as we enter the second phase of the 21st century, it is essential to infuse new energy into the agricultural sector. The budget has set a direction to increase productivity and boost exports. The Prime Minister expressed hope that the suggestions presented in the webinar will help expedite the implementation of budget provisions and provide new impetus to agriculture and the rural economy.