10,000+ FPOs formed to support farmers
The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, has launched two major schemes in the agriculture sector, with an outlay of Rs.35,440 crore as a special Krishi programme at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute in New Delhi on 11 Oct, emphasizing the central role that agriculture and farming have always played in India’s development journey.
He launched the PM Dhan Dhaanya Krishi Yojana which has an outlay of Rs.24,000 crore. He also launched the Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses with an outlay of Rs.11,440 crore.
The Prime Minister also inaugurated and dedicated to the nation projects valued at over Rs.5,450 crore in the agriculture, animal husbandry, fisheries, and food processing sectors, while laying the foundation stone for additional projects worth around Rs.815 crore.
Addressing the nation, the Prime Minister underscored that the Pradhan Mantri Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana and Dalhan Atmanirbharta Mission (Pulse Self-Reliance Mission) are designed to usher in a new era of self-reliance, rural empowerment, and agricultural innovation, directly benefiting crores of farmers across the nation.
“The Government of India will invest over Rs.35,000 crore in these initiatives, reflecting its unwavering commitment to doubling farmers’ incomes and achieving food and nutritional security for the country,” said PM Modi.
“From seed to market, we introduced comprehensive reforms in the interest of our farmers. These reforms were not just policy changes. They were structural interventions aimed at making Indian agriculture modern, sustainable, and resilient,” he stressed.
The Prime Minister stated that in the last eleven years, India’s agricultural exports have nearly doubled. Foodgrain production has increased by approximately 90 million metric tonnes. Fruit and vegetable production has grown by more than 64 million metric tonnes.
India today ranks first in the world in milk production and is the second-largest fish producer globally. Honey production has doubled compared to 2014, and egg production has also doubled over the same period.
He further informed that six major fertilizer plants have been established in the country during this time. More than 25 crore Soil Health Cards have been distributed to farmers. Micro-irrigation facilities have reached 100 lakh hectares of agricultural land. Under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, insurance claims worth Rs.2 lakh crore have been disbursed to farmers.
More than 10,000 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) have been formed to enhance farmer cooperation and market access over the past 11 years.
“However, there is a need to look beyond just flour and rice for sustenance. While these staples can relieve hunger, proper nutrition requires a more diverse diet. Protein, especially for the largely vegetarian population of India, plays a critical role in both physical and mental growth. Pulses remain the most significant source of plant-based protein,” underscored PM Modi.
“The Dalhan Atmanirbharata Mission seeks to address this challenge by boosting domestic pulse production, thereby enhancing nutritional security and self-reliance. The Dalhan Atmanirbharata Mission, with an investment of over Rs.11,000 crore rupees, will provide substantial support to farmers,” he emphasized.
Modi highlighted that the goal is to increase the area under pulse cultivation by 35 lakh hectares. Under this mission, production of tur, urad, and masoor pulses will be increased, and a proper system for procurement of pulses will be ensured. This will directly benefit nearly two crore pulse farmers across the country.
Highlighting the honey production sector as a success story, the Prime Minister noted that India’s honey output has nearly doubled in the last eleven years. He further shared that while honey exports stood at around Rs.450 crore six to seven years ago, they have now surged to over Rs.1,500 crore. This dramatic rise in exports, he said, represents three times more income flowing directly to farmers, demonstrating the tangible benefits of agricultural diversification and value addition. Fiinews.com
