The North News
New Delhi, October 11
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched two major schemes in the agriculture sector with a combined outlay of ₹35,440 crore, aimed at driving self-reliance, innovation, and rural development. Speaking at a special Krishi programme at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute in New Delhi, the Prime Minister said these initiatives mark “a historic day for India’s farmers.” The Prime Minister unveiled the PM Dhan Dhaanya Krishi Yojana with an outlay of ₹24,000 crore, and the Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses (Dalhan Atmanirbharata Mission) with ₹11,440 crore. He also inaugurated and dedicated to the nation projects worth over ₹5,450 crore in the agriculture, animal husbandry, fisheries, and food processing sectors, and laid foundation stones for projects valued at ₹815 crore.
Modi said the two schemes were inspired by the successful Aspirational Districts Programme, aimed at transforming underdeveloped regions through targeted interventions. “These initiatives will empower crores of farmers and modernise agriculture,” he said.
Highlighting the progress since 2014, Modi said India’s foodgrain production has risen by 90 million metric tonnes, fruit and vegetable output by 64 million metric tonnes, and the country is now the world’s largest milk producer. He also underlined reforms such as the expansion of micro-irrigation, distribution of Soil Health Cards, and crop insurance payouts.
Modi emphasised that the pulses mission would expand cultivation by 35 lakh hectares, ensuring better nutrition and self-reliance. He also praised the role of women in farming, citing the rise of “Namo Drone Didis” using drone technology in rural India.
The Prime Minister highlighted how lower GST on tractors, irrigation systems, and bio-pesticides has brought direct economic relief to rural households. He urged farmers to aim for global markets and contribute to India’s vision of becoming a developed nation.
