New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday interacted with farmers from across India during a Krishi programme held at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, where he launched two major schemes aimed at strengthening the agriculture sector.
The event reflected the Prime Minister’s continued focus on farmer welfare, agricultural sustainability, and rural transformation. Addressing the gathering, he launched the PM Dhan Dhaanya Krishi Yojana with an outlay of ₹24,000 crore, and the Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses with an outlay of ₹11,440 crore, together amounting to ₹35,440 crore in new agricultural initiatives.
In addition, the Prime Minister inaugurated projects worth over ₹5,450 crore in the agriculture, animal husbandry, fisheries, and food processing sectors, and laid the foundation stone for projects valued at ₹815 crore.
Empowering Farmers Through Innovation and Collaboration
The Prime Minister spent time interacting with farmers, listening to their experiences and success stories. A farmer from Hisar district, Haryana, who began cultivating Kabuli chana (chickpeas) four years ago, shared how intercropping and pulse farming improved both his income and soil health.
He explained how leguminous crops enrich the soil by fixing nitrogen, reducing dependency on chemical fertilisers. “Growing chana not only ensures a good harvest but keeps the soil alive for the next crop,” he said.
Impressed by his approach, PM Modi remarked that such sustainable agricultural practices could serve as a model for farmers across India.
The farmer, a practising Chartered Accountant and active farmer, also shared his work with a self-help group (SHG) of 20 women producing chana-based products, garlic, and papad under the brand ‘Dugari Wale’, now registered on the GeM (Government e-Marketplace) portal. “Army personnel buy our products from there,” he proudly shared.
Pulses and Millets: The Backbone of Future Nutrition and Sustainability
Highlighting the dual benefits of pulses, the Prime Minister said, “Pulses farming not only boosts farmer income but also contributes to the nutritional security of the country.” He underlined the importance of group farming, encouraging small and marginal farmers to come together to cultivate high-value crops, cut costs, and access better markets.
One farmer shared how 1,200 acres of residue-free Kabuli chana farming was being successfully practiced through a collective model, improving incomes and market access.
The Prime Minister also spoke about the government’s strong push for millets (Shree Anna) such as bajra and jowar, especially in water-scarce regions. “Where water is scarce, millets are a lifeline,” he said, noting the rapidly growing global market for millets.
Natural Farming, Women Empowerment, and Rural Entrepreneurship
The conversation also touched on natural and chemical-free farming. PM Modi advised farmers to take a phased approach, experimenting on part of their land while maintaining traditional practices on the rest.
A woman farmer shared how the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme helped her purchase seeds and prepare her land for moong (green gram) cultivation on five bighas. “The ₹6,000 annual support has been a blessing,” she said.
Another farmer from Hisar, cultivating chana, masoor, and guar, demonstrated how even two acres of land can generate sustainable income through smart crop diversification.
A remarkable story came from a farmer who transitioned from working as a hotel room boy in 2010 to running a gaushala (cow shelter) with over 250 Gir cows, aided by a 50% government subsidy. The Prime Minister shared a similar initiative from Varanasi, where families receive Gir cows on the condition of returning the first calf — creating a self-sustaining community model.
Aquaculture: Turning Job Seekers into Job Creators
The event also showcased the success of the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). Several entrepreneurs shared how fisheries and aquaculture transformed their lives.
A Ph.D. holder from Uttar Pradesh who ventured into aquaculture now employs 25 rural youths, while a Kashmiri youth earns ₹15 lakh annually and provides jobs to 14 others. A woman entrepreneur employing 100 people in the fisheries sector said that cold storage and ice facilities under PMMSY have boosted her business.
The Prime Minister praised their efforts, stating that aquaculture has immense potential to drive employment and rural prosperity.
Women’s Dairy Revolution and Tribal Empowerment
A representative from the Sakhi Organisation shared that the group, which began with 20 women, now has 90,000 members engaged in the dairy sector. Over 14,000 women have become ‘Lakhpati Didis’ through collective entrepreneurship. “This is a real miracle,” the Prime Minister said, lauding the women’s movement.
An entrepreneur from Saraikela, Jharkhand, shared how he adopted 125 tribal families and introduced integrated organic farming in the region, inspired by the Prime Minister’s call to “be job givers, not job seekers.”
Innovation, Youth, and the Future of Indian Agriculture
Several young farmers shared inspiring journeys. One returned from the United States in 2014 to start a large-scale aquaculture operation in India, now managing 300 acres of farms and employing over 200 people, supported by a low-interest FIDF loan.
An FPO from Gujarat’s Amreli District, representing 1,700 farmers, reported consistent 20% annual dividends and credited a ₹2 crore collateral-free government loan for their growth. Another FPO from Rajasthan producing organic cumin and isabgol was encouraged by the PM to explore new product innovations such as isabgol-based ice cream.
From Kashmir to Kanyakumari, stories poured in — an apple grower from Kashmir spoke of improved logistics through rail connectivity, while a young entrepreneur from Madhya Pradesh showcased aeroponic potato farming, which grows potatoes vertically without soil.
A farmer from Rajasthan’s Baran district spoke of moving up the value chain by producing garlic powder and paste, and planning to export in the near future.
‘Meeting Farmers is Like Meeting Family’
As the session concluded, many participants expressed heartfelt gratitude. One farmer said, “Meeting the Prime Minister felt like natural therapy — like talking to someone from my own home.”
In his closing remarks, Prime Minister Modi reaffirmed his commitment to India’s farmers, stating that the government’s focus remains on empowering every cultivator, ensuring nutritional and economic security, and positioning Indian agriculture as a global model of sustainability and innovation.
“India’s farmers are the backbone of the nation’s economy. Their progress is the country’s progress,” the Prime Minister said as he concluded the event.