New Delhi witnessed a pivotal moment in India’s agricultural landscape as Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged a shift towards export-oriented farming during a post-budget webinar on agriculture and rural transformation. Addressing experts, industry leaders, and farmers via video conference, PM Modi emphasized integrating Indian agriculture into global supply chains to unlock new employment opportunities and empower farmers economically.
Agriculture remains the backbone of India’s economy and a strategic pillar for national growth, the Prime Minister asserted. With the world entering the second quarter of the 21st century, he called for infusing fresh energy into the sector. Global demands are evolving rapidly, making it imperative to focus on export-driven crops, diversification, and cutting-edge technologies.
Highlighting key reforms in the 2026-27 Union Budget, PM Modi noted initiatives aimed at boosting farmer productivity and incomes. He appealed for collaboration among agricultural experts, industries, and farmers to promote high-value farming, positioning India as a competitive player on the world stage.
‘Experts, industry, and farmers must unite to connect India effectively with global markets,’ PM Modi stated, stressing the need for elevated quality standards and branding. He advocated for organic and natural farming to enhance overall health and identified fisheries as a promising export sector.
PM Modi spotlighted high-value crops like cashew, coconut, sandalwood, agarwood, almonds, walnuts, and pine nuts, urging private investments in animal husbandry and coastal fisheries. He also pushed for new business models in rural areas and expanding platforms like SHE-Mart to market products from women’s self-help groups.
India has built a robust digital foundation for agriculture, with over 7.63 crore farmer IDs created and 23.5 crore crop plots surveyed under the Digital Agriculture Mission. The budget allocates Rs 1,62,671 crore to agriculture, a 7% increase from the previous year, underscoring the government’s commitment to farmer welfare, food security, and rural livelihoods.
Targeted plans include promoting coconut, sandalwood, cocoa, and cashew in coastal regions, agarwood in the Northeast, and almonds, walnuts, and pine nuts in hilly areas. These steps promise to significantly elevate farmers’ incomes and create sustainable rural employment.