New Delhi: Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal, addressing the 16th Agriculture Leadership Conclave in the national capital, highlighted the government’s continued focus on farmers and rural development under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
He noted that over 25 crore Soil Health Cards have been distributed to promote balanced fertiliser use, and that the Kisan Credit Card initiative has expanded access to crop loans. “A large number of farmer families have benefitted from the PM-KISAN Samman Nidhi scheme,” Goyal said, adding that 1,400 mandis have been integrated with the e-NAM platform to ensure better price discovery and real-time market information for farmers.
He said that fertiliser subsidies from the central government have played a crucial role in keeping input costs low for farmers. Even during the pandemic, he said, the timely delivery of fertilisers was ensured.
Highlighting India’s steady agri-export performance amid global market turbulence, Goyal said, “The farming community has played a key role in building an Atmanirbhar Bharat and turning the ‘Local Goes Global’ vision into a reality.” He said agriculture, animal husbandry, and fisheries exports had reached ₹4 lakh crore.
Goyal added that Indian farmers have contributed to the global popularity of basmati rice, spices, fruits and vegetables, floriculture, fisheries, and poultry. He credited the agriculture sector’s growth to supportive policy frameworks, fiscal incentives, and new trade opportunities enabled by Free Trade Agreements with Australia, the UAE, EFTA nations, and the UK.
Looking ahead, Goyal emphasised the importance of improving seed quality, expanding natural and organic farming, and modernising irrigation infrastructure. He said digital agriculture—driven by Artificial Intelligence, geospatial technologies, weather forecasting systems, and AI-based tools—will further empower Farmer Producer Organisations and cooperatives.
He underlined the government’s focus on food processing, branding, and packaging to enhance value addition in agriculture. “Various government schemes and programmes, along with funds allocated to agriculture, animal husbandry, and fisheries, are aimed at strengthening warehousing and storage infrastructure,” he said.
Piyush Goyal reaffirmed the Centre’s commitment to ensuring a secure and prosperous future for India’s farmers and reiterated that agriculture would continue to be a key engine in the journey of Viksit Bharat.
BI Bureau
