Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered the keynote address at the Kisan Tak Bharat Agriculture Conference, organized by the India Today Group. The speech focused on the achievements of Indian agriculture over the past decade and the government's initiatives to modernize the sector and increase farmer prosperity.
Modi cited a recent World Bank study on poverty, which found that 50 crore Indians escaped poverty within 12-13 years, a decline led by rural areas. He directly linked this to the agricultural sector's performance, noting that for the first time since Independence, India's agricultural growth rate has averaged above 4% over a decade. The PM highlighted India's position as a global leader in several agricultural commodities: it is number one in milk, pulses, jute, rice, and millet production; number two in wheat, cotton, fruits, vegetables, and fish production.
Specific production increases over the past decade were provided: milk production is up by nearly 70%, egg production by nearly 90%, and fish production has more than doubled. Horticulture production has risen from 280 million tonnes to over 350 million tonnes, and honey production has increased from 80 thousand tonnes to 150 thousand tonnes. Annual agricultural exports now exceed ₹4 lakh crore.
The address detailed several government schemes and their outcomes. Under the PM-KUSUM Scheme, nearly 12 lakh solar pumps have been distributed, transforming farmers into 'energy providers'. The number of soil-testing labs has expanded from a few hundred in 2014 to over 8,400 today, and there are more than 750 Krishi Vigyan Kendras. To protect livestock, more than eight crore animals have received free vaccinations for Foot and Mouth Disease. A network of 10,000 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) has been established to help small farmers with value addition and connect them to processing businesses.
A significant portion of the speech was dedicated to government subsidies. Modi stated that over the last 12 years, ₹16 lakh crore has been spent to ensure affordable fertilizers for farmers. He provided specific examples of the subsidy: a bag of DAP fertilizer costing ₹5,000 internationally is sold for ₹1,300, and a bag of urea costing ₹3,000 is sold for less than ₹300. The PM also revealed that during a recent spike in crude oil prices (from $70 to $122 per barrel), the government absorbed a massive shock to protect farmers. While an increase of ₹50 per litre in diesel was necessary, the government increased the price by only ₹7, absorbing a burden of ₹43 per litre. This decision, he stated, continues to result in a monthly loss of ₹14,000 crore for the government.
Concluding his remarks, the Prime Minister made a strong appeal for natural farming, distinguishing it from organic farming. He expressed concern over the excessive use of chemicals destroying the soil and urged farmers to adopt chemical-free practices, stating that a single cow can provide sufficient manure for 30 acres of land.