Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the Kisan Tak Bharat Agriculture Conference 2026, emphasizing that agricultural development, smarter farming, and farmer empowerment are fundamental to building a Viksit Bharat. The conference took place in a festive atmosphere following Deepavali and during the Chhath Mahaparv, with the Prime Minister noting that major Indian festivals are intrinsically tied to farming.
The Prime Minister highlighted India's agricultural achievements, noting that the country now ranks first globally in production of milk, pulses, jute, rice, and millets, and second in wheat, cotton, fruits, vegetables, and fish production. Annual agricultural exports now exceed ₹4 lakh crore rupees. Specific production increases were detailed: milk output has risen nearly 70%, egg production surged nearly 90%, fish production more than doubled under the Blue Revolution, honey output increased from approximately 80,000 tonnes to 1.5 lakh tonnes under the Sweet Revolution, and horticulture production grew from 280 million tonnes to over 350 million tonnes.
Key government initiatives were emphasized, including the PM-KUSUM scheme which has provided nearly 12 lakh solar pumps to farmers, transforming them from 'Annadatas' to 'Urjadatas' by reducing electricity bills and enabling solar power generation revenue. The government has spent ₹16 lakh crore over the past 12 years to provide affordable fertilizers despite international price spikes, with DAP fertilizer available at ₹1,300 per bag versus international prices of ₹5,000, and urea at less than ₹300 per bag versus international prices of ₹3,000.
The Prime Minister revealed how the government shielded farmers from the recent global fuel price shock, when crude oil prices escalated from $70 to $122 per barrel due to the West Asia war. While neighboring countries raised fuel prices by 40-50%, India limited the diesel price increase to just ₹7 per liter, absorbing ₹43 per liter at a monthly cost of ₹14,000 crore to date.
Other initiatives include the expansion of soil testing labs from a few hundred in 2014 to over 8,400 today, more than 725 Krishi Vigyan Kendras, and free vaccination against Foot and Mouth Disease for livestock of more than 8 crore farmers. The Namo Drone Didi program was highlighted for demonstrating advanced technology adoption in villages, while 10,000 FPOs (Farmer Producer Organizations) have been established to help small farmers become value creators connected to food processing and export markets.
The Prime Minister emphasized the government's 'Lab to Land' approach and commitment to converting farmers into 'agri-preneurs' through agri-engineering and agri-startups, with a focus on crop diversification and allied agricultural activities beyond traditional wheat, rice, and sugarcane reliance.