Union Minister G Kishan Reddy emphasized agriculture’s vital role in making India self-reliant. At the Agri Business Awards on Tuesday, he honored farmers, innovators, and agripreneurs for their significant contributions.
Reddy said agriculture is more than just a job; it’s a lifestyle for millions. He noted that 54% of India’s population relies on farming, contributing 18% to the GDP. He praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for launching programs that benefit farmers.
He shared India’s achievements, announcing that the country has surpassed China in grain production, hitting 149 million tonnes this year. Since 2014-15, milk production has risen by 63%, making India the top milk producer globally. India also leads in pulses, producing 26 million tonnes annually.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, India maintained food grain supplies and even exported to other countries. Under PM Modi’s leadership, five kg of rice is given free to 80 crore citizens. Programs like PM Kisan and PM Krishi Sinchai Yojana are running effectively.
Since 2019, Rs 4 lakh crore has been directly transferred to 11.8 crore farmers through the PM Samman Nidhi Yojana, eliminating intermediaries. The minimum support price for paddy has significantly increased since 2014.
Reddy highlighted GST 2.0 reforms that reduced taxes on tractors and farm machinery, lowering costs and increasing farmer incomes.
He urged the adoption of agri-tech innovations like artificial intelligence, IoT, and drones to modernize farming.
“The prosperity of farmers is the foundation of a prosperous India,” Reddy stated, advocating for continued support and innovation in agriculture.
