Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday called for a comprehensive transformation of India’s agricultural sector, stressing that farmers must adapt to changing markets, weather conditions and technological advancements.
Addressing the Bharat Agriculture Conference 2026, organised by the India Today Group at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, he said that previous governments had largely focused on ensuring that farmers filled the country’s granaries.
However, this approach no longer meets the sector’s evolving requirements.
PM Modi emphasised that India cannot achieve national progress without modernising agriculture and empowering farmers.
He recalled the Saptadhara, or seven streams of strength, outlined in his Independence Day address from the Red Fort, identifying agriculture as a crucial pillar.
The Prime Minister highlighted that India’s agricultural growth rate exceeded 4 per cent over the past decade, marking sustained expansion unseen since Independence. He also noted a significant decline in rural poverty during this period.
Connecting farming with India’s cultural traditions, PM Modi referred to festivals such as Bihu, Onam and Baisakhi. He also mentioned the recent Diwali celebrations and the ongoing festive spirit of Chhath.
He said these celebrations demonstrate that agriculture extends beyond economic activity and remains deeply embedded in India’s cultural identity and social life.
The two-day conference brought together more than 2,000 farmers, policymakers, industry representatives and international experts under the theme ‘Smart Kisan, Viksit Bharat’.
PM Modi stressed that India’s agricultural ambitions must extend beyond maintaining full grain warehouses.
He called for greater technological adoption, climate resilience and market-oriented farming to make agriculture more productive and remunerative.
The Prime Minister reiterated that empowering farmers and building a modern agricultural economy remain essential to achieving the vision of a developed India.
Also Read: PM Modi Says Agricultural Growth Key To Lifting 50 Crore People Out Of Poverty
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