Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Thursday underlined the government’s continued focus on empowering India’s farming community, citing multiple initiatives aimed at ensuring agricultural sustainability, better incomes, and global competitiveness.
Speaking at the 16th Agriculture Leadership Conclave in New Delhi, Goyal said over 25 crore Soil Health Cards have been distributed to farmers across the country, promoting balanced fertiliser use and improved productivity. The Kisan Credit Card scheme, he added, has enhanced access to institutional credit for millions of farmers.
Reiterating the Centre’s commitment to farmers, the minister said agriculture has remained central to the government’s development agenda under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Direct income support under the PM-KISAN Samman Nidhi scheme, he noted, has benefited a large number of rural families.
To strengthen agri-marketing, Goyal said 1,400 mandis have been integrated with the e-NAM platform, offering farmers real-time price information and wider market access.
Goyal also highlighted efforts to keep fertilisers affordable, pointing to the continuation of subsidies and uninterrupted supply during the COVID-19 pandemic. Lauding farmers for maintaining stable agri-exports despite global headwinds, he said exports from agriculture, animal husbandry, and fisheries stood at ₹4 lakh crore in 2023–24.
Basmati rice, spices, fresh produce, fisheries, and poultry continued to drive agri-export growth, supported by trade deals with Australia, the UAE, EFTA countries, and the UK, he added.
Looking ahead, Goyal identified key growth areas including seed production, organic farming, and drip irrigation. He said digital technologies like AI, geospatial mapping, and weather forecasting tools are being integrated to modernise agriculture and empower Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs).
The minister also stressed the need for value addition through food processing, branding, and improved packaging. He said the government is focusing on warehousing and storage infrastructure with dedicated funds for agriculture, fisheries, and animal husbandry.
“Under the vision of Viksit Bharat, agriculture will remain a core pillar of India’s growth story,” he stressed.
