Delhi, 11 October (H.S.): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated a series of ambitious projects worth ₹42,000 crore aimed at transforming India’s agriculture and allied sectors, reinforcing the government’s vision of making India a self-reliant and globally competitive agricultural economy.

Two major national schemes — the PM Dhan Dhaanya Krishi Yojana and the Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses — were launched with a combined outlay of ₹35,440 crore, marking a significant step toward strengthening the country’s food security and reducing dependence on imports.

In addition, the Prime Minister rolled out projects worth over ₹5,450 crore covering agriculture, animal husbandry, fisheries, and food processing, and laid the foundation stone for new projects valued at ₹815 crore.

Addressing the gathering, Prime Minister Modi highlighted the central role of farmers in building a Viksit Bharat (Developed India. Farmers have a bigger role in making India ‘Viksit Bharat’. India must become not only self-reliant in food but also produce export-oriented crops for the global market,” he said.

He further pointed out that the recent GST reforms have provided maximum benefits to rural India and farmers, and contrasted the current government’s achievements with the neglect faced by the sector under previous administrations.

Over the past 11 years, PM Modi noted, India’s agricultural exports have nearly doubled, grain production has increased by 900 lakh metric tonnes, and fruit and vegetable output has risen by more than 640 lakh metric tonnes. India now ranks first globally in milk production, he said, crediting the government’s reforms “from seeds to markets” for the progress.

The Prime Minister emphasized the need for continuous innovation and diversification in the sector, urging farmers to look beyond traditional crops.

“Today, emphasis is being placed on animal husbandry, fish farming, and beekeeping. This has empowered small farmers and landless families,” he remarked, adding that ‘Namo Drone Didi’ initiatives are empowering rural women with modern agricultural technologies.

Highlighting the importance of pulses production for ensuring protein security and reducing import dependency, PM Modi called upon farmers to expand cultivation beyond wheat and rice.

The event also showcased new initiatives and infrastructure projects under various government schemes:

-

Artificial insemination training centres inaugurated in Bengaluru and Jammu & Kashmir

-

Centres of excellence established at Amreli and Banas

-

An IVF lab in Assam under the Rashtriya Gokul Mission

-

Milk powder plants commissioned at Mehsana, Indore, and Bhilwara

-

A fish feed plant at Tezpur under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana

The event also celebrated a key achievement under the 10,000 Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) initiative — 50 lakh farmers have joined these groups, with 1,100 FPOs crossing an annual turnover of over ₹1 crore in 2024–25.

Reiterating his vision for a resilient, modern, and self-reliant agricultural ecosystem, PM Modi said India must “continuously strive to improve in every field, keep making progress” to achieve the goal of a truly developed nation.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar