PM Modi Calls on Farmers to Cut Imports and Lead Global Markets

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched two transformative agricultural schemes worth Rs 35,440 crore—the Rs 24,000-crore Pradhan Mantri Dhan Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PM-DDKY) and the Rs 11,440-crore Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses—urging farmers to reduce India’s import dependency and target global markets. Speaking at the Pusa campus in New Delhi on the birth anniversary of socialist reformers Jayaprakash Narayan and Nanaji Deshmukh, Modi emphasized farmers’ pivotal role in achieving a developed India (Viksit Bharat) by 2047. He also inaugurated agricultural projects worth over Rs 5,450 crore and laid the foundation for additional initiatives valued at Rs 815 crore.

The PM-DDKY, modeled on the Aspirational Districts Programme, targets 100 underperforming agricultural districts by integrating 36 schemes to enhance productivity, promote crop diversification, and improve irrigation, storage, and credit access. The pulses mission aims to increase acreage by 35 lakh hectares and boost production from 252.38 lakh tonnes to 350 lakh tonnes by 2030-31, addressing India’s reliance on imports despite being the world’s largest pulses producer. Modi urged farmers to diversify beyond wheat and rice, emphasizing pulses for protein security and export potential.

Taking aim at the previous Congress government, Modi criticized its “neglect” of the farm sector, citing uncoordinated policies that weakened the agricultural ecosystem. He highlighted his government’s reforms since 2014, including a doubled farm budget, increased fertilizer subsidies, reduced GST on farm equipment, and a ‘Beej to Bazaar’ approach, which have boosted foodgrain production by 900 lakh tonnes, doubled farm exports, and raised fruit and vegetable output by 640 lakh tonnes. The new schemes, approved by the Cabinet for implementation from the 2025-26 rabi season to 2030-31, aim to further these gains.

Also Read: Harsh Malhotra Tours Flood Hit Villages in Kapurthala, Promises Fast Compensation

During the event, Modi distributed certificates to farmers under the National Mission for Natural Farming, MAITRI technicians, and PACS transformed into Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samriddhi Kendras and Common Service Centres. He also interacted with pulses farmers benefiting from value chain-focused schemes.

With milestones like 50 lakh farmer memberships in 10,000 FPOs and 38,000 MAITRI certifications, the initiatives underscore India’s push for agricultural self-reliance and global competitiveness, as articulated by Modi in the presence of ministers Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Rajiv Ranjan Singh, and Bhagirath Choudhary.

Also Read: Maharashtra Floods Hit Farmers Hard, BJP Warns Against Protest Actions