Need to Make Indian Agri Products Export-Oriented: Modi
6 March 2026 12:51 PM IST6 March 2026 12:51 PM IST
Pushes for high-quality farming
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses a post-budget webinar on 'Agriculture and Rural Transformation'. (@NarendraModi/YT via PTI Photo)
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said agriculture remains a “strategic pillar” of India’s long-term development and highlighted government initiatives aimed at strengthening farmers’ incomes and reducing risks in the sector.
Addressing the third post-Budget webinar on “Agriculture and Rural Transformation”, the Prime Minister said measures such as expanded credit access, insurance coverage and reforms in minimum support prices (MSPs) have helped improve farmers’ incomes.
Modi also urged farmers to utilise India’s diverse climatic conditions and focus on increasing the production of high-value crops to make Indian agricultural products more competitive in global markets.
“Steps need to be taken to promote all aspects of quality, branding and standards of Indian agriculture produce. Agri experts, industry and farmers will have to come together to achieve this goal,” he said.
The Prime Minister said the Budget for 2026-27 has emphasized high-value agriculture, including crops such as cashew, cocoa and sandalwood.
He added that initiatives such as the National Mission on Edible Oils and Pulses and the National Mission on Natural Farming are aimed at strengthening the agriculture sector.
“If we scale up the high-value agri sector, only then we can convert our agriculture sector to a globally competitive sector,” Modi said.
Noting that global demand patterns are changing, he stressed the need to make Indian agriculture more export-oriented.
“Today the markets of the world are opening, and global demand is changing... It is necessary to have more discussion on making our agriculture export-oriented. We have a diverse climate, and we must take full advantage of it. We are rich in agro-climatic zones,” he said.
He added that growing global awareness about health and organic food presents an opportunity for India to promote natural and chemical-free farming and expand its presence in international markets.
( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
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