PM Modi’s Visionary Budget Pushes Agriculture Toward Global Competitiveness

New Delhi | March 6 : 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said the Union Budget has laid out a visionary roadmap for transforming India’s agriculture and rural economy, emphasising export-oriented production, technology integration and high-value farming to make the sector globally competitive.

Addressing the Post-Budget Webinar on “Agriculture and Rural Transformation,” the Prime Minister said the government’s consistent reforms and schemes have reduced risks for farmers while providing them with a stronger economic safety net.

“This year’s Union Budget gives a strong push to agriculture and rural transformation,” Modi said, adding that the sector remains the backbone of India’s economy and a strategic pillar for the nation’s long-term development.

Highlighting the government’s interventions, the Prime Minister noted that over 10 crore farmers have received more than ₹4 lakh crore under PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, while nearly ₹2 lakh crore in insurance claims have been settled under the PM Fasal Bima Yojana. Institutional credit coverage for farmers has now crossed 75 per cent, significantly strengthening rural financial security.

“These efforts have reduced the risks for farmers and provided them with basic economic security,” he said.

Export-Oriented Agriculture

Calling for a shift toward high-value and export-driven agriculture, Modi urged stakeholders to harness India’s diverse agro-climatic zones to boost global competitiveness.

The budget has proposed region-specific promotion of crops such as cocoa, cashew and sandalwood, along with agarwood cultivation in the North-East and temperate nut crops in Himalayan states.

“If we scale high-value agriculture together, it will transform agriculture into a globally competitive sector,” he said.

The Prime Minister noted that export-oriented farming would also create new rural jobs through processing, logistics and value addition.

Fisheries and Blue Economy

Highlighting the untapped potential of fisheries, Modi said India is already the world’s second-largest fish producer, but production from reservoirs and ponds could increase significantly.

Currently, about 4.5 lakh tonnes of fish are produced annually in these water bodies, with the potential to expand to 20 lakh tonnes, he said.

“Fisheries can become a major platform for export growth and a high-value sector for rural prosperity,” the Prime Minister said, urging new business models in hatcheries, feed production and logistics.

Livestock and Dairy Growth

The Prime Minister also stressed strengthening India’s livestock sector, noting that the country is already the world’s largest milk producer and the second-largest egg producer.

He highlighted initiatives under the National Gokul Mission, expanded Kisan Credit Card access for animal husbandry, and the vaccination drive that has administered over 125 crore doses to protect livestock from Foot-and-Mouth Disease.

Digital Agriculture Revolution

Modi placed special emphasis on technology, pointing to the government’s effort to build digital public infrastructure for agriculture through AgriStack.

The initiative includes Kisan IDs, digital land records, AI-based platforms and improved market integration through e-NAM, which aim to modernise farm management and market access.

“Technology delivers results only when systems adopt it, institutions integrate it, and entrepreneurs build innovations on it,” the Prime Minister said.

Rural Transformation

The Prime Minister reiterated the government’s focus on rural infrastructure, women’s entrepreneurship and farmer income growth. Initiatives such as PM Awas Yojana, PM Gram Sadak Yojana and Self-Help Group empowerment are driving rural development.

Under the ‘Lakhpati Didi’ mission, the government aims to create three crore women entrepreneurs by 2029, strengthening rural household incomes.

Concluding his address, Modi called on experts, industry leaders and farmers to work together to implement the budget’s agricultural provisions swiftly.

“I am confident that the ideas and suggestions emerging from this webinar will energise India’s rural economy and unlock the full potential of agriculture,” he said.