From Farm to Global Market: PM Modi’s Vision for Modern Indian Agriculture

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday called for transforming Indian agriculture into a more export-oriented and technology-driven sector, emphasising that scaling high-value farming could help make agriculture a globally competitive engine of rural prosperity. Addressing the post-Budget webinar on “Agriculture and Rural Transformation,” the Prime Minister said the Union Budget 2026–27 places strong emphasis on agriculture and rural development, and urged stakeholders to ensure that the Budget’s provisions translate into tangible benefits for farmers.

Modi said agriculture continues to be the backbone of the Indian economy and a key pillar of long-term development. He noted that several government initiatives over the past decade have strengthened the sector and reduced risks faced by farmers. According to the Prime Minister, nearly 10 crore farmers have received more than ₹4 lakh crore under the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme, while around ₹2 lakh crore in insurance claims have been settled through the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana.

Highlighting changing global demand patterns, the Prime Minister urged farmers and policymakers to shift toward export-oriented agriculture, greater crop diversification and high-value farming. He said expanding production in high-value segments would not only improve farmers’ incomes but also generate rural employment through processing, value addition and stronger supply chains.

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Modi also emphasised the importance of region-specific agricultural production. He highlighted the potential for crops such as cocoa, cashew and sandalwood, along with agarwood cultivation in the Northeast and temperate nut crops in the Himalayan region. He noted that such diversification could help India strengthen its presence in global agricultural markets.

The Prime Minister identified fisheries as another sector with strong export potential, pointing out that India is already the world’s second-largest fish producer. He said production from reservoirs and ponds could increase significantly with improved hatcheries, feed systems and logistics, and called for greater coordination between the fisheries department and local communities to fully utilise the sector’s potential.

Modi also highlighted the role of livestock and dairy in strengthening the rural economy, noting that India is the world’s largest milk producer and the second-largest producer of eggs. He emphasised the need for better breeding quality, disease prevention and scientific livestock management, while also stressing the role of technology in agriculture through initiatives such as digital infrastructure, farmer databases and data-driven systems to improve productivity and connect research institutions with farmers.

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