Modi to address farmers during I-Day week after protests in several states

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the nationwide discord among farmers with concerns mounting in the agricultural sector, as the 70th Independence Day approaches.

The prime minister will send his message highlighting the farmer welfare initiatives to the agricultural community through Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), an official on condition of anonymity told ThePrint.

The Information & Broadcasting Ministry is laying out a detailed plan incorporating live video conferencing and recorded message playback as a part of the massive outreach programme, the official said.

The message will speak of the government's dedication to the kisan, or the farmers, the importance of Swaccha Bharat Mission, actions taken to empower women and improve infrastructure in villages.

The KVKs will broadcast over 5,000 rounds of video-conferencing/recordings of the prime minister from next week.

Serving as agricultural technology centres, there are over 600 KVKs spread across the country. Besides making available the latest technology for agriculture, the KVKs also provide information and various other resources.

The Centre was alarmed after all the BJP-ruled states like Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra and even Tamil Nadu and Punjab saw massive farmer protests.

Even the RSS-backed Bharatiya Kisan Sangh criticised the government's inaction despite the prime minister's promise of working for farmer welfare.

Alongside the KVKs, Narendra Modi's messages will be played across many schools and cinema halls as well.