Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday highlighted the importance of agricultural development and farmer empowerment in India’s economic progress, citing a World Bank study that found 50 crore people had moved out of poverty.
Addressing the Bharat Agriculture Conference 2026, organised by the India Today Group at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, PM Modi said India’s agricultural sector had recorded growth exceeding 4 per cent over the past decade.
He described this as the first sustained performance of its kind since Independence.
The Prime Minister highlighted measures to protect farmers from rising input costs.
Recalling the period when international crude oil prices reached $120 per barrel amid West Asian tensions, he said the government limited the diesel price increase to ₹7 per litre instead of passing on the entire potential ₹50 increase.
He added that the government had spent ₹16 lakh crore to keep fertilisers affordable. Farmers receive a bag of urea for less than ₹300, compared with its international market price of ₹3,000.
PM Modi highlighted more than 725 Krishi Vigyan Kendras and free Foot and Mouth Disease vaccinations for livestock belonging to over eight crore farmers.
He also praised ‘Drone Didis’ for demonstrating how women can operate advanced agricultural technology in rural areas.
The Prime Minister urged startups to develop solar-powered farm equipment and artificial intelligence-based tools to reduce cultivation costs.
He called for transforming ‘annadatas’ into ‘krishi udyamis’ or agricultural entrepreneurs, enabling farmers to benefit from technology and market opportunities.
The two-day conference brought together over 2,000 farmers, policymakers, industry representatives and global experts.
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