PM urges export-led farming, highlights livestock economy

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday called for making Indian agriculture more export-oriented and technology-driven, stressing that scaling high-value farming could transform the sector into a globally competitive driver of rural prosperity.Addressing a post-Budget webinar on “Agriculture and Rural Transformation”, Modi said the Union Budget 2026–27 has provided a strong push to agriculture and rural development, and urged stakeholders to work together to ensure that policy announcements translate into tangible benefits on the ground.PM said agriculture continues to be the backbone of the Indian economy and a key pillar of long-term development, noting that multiple initiatives over the past decade have strengthened the sector and reduced risks faced by farmers.
Highlighting flagship schemes, the Prime Minister said nearly 10 crore farmers have received over ₹4 lakh crore under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi. He added that around ₹2 lakh crore in insurance claims have been settled through the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, while institutional credit coverage for farmers has expanded significantly.Modi said global demand patterns are evolving and urged stakeholders to move towards export-oriented agriculture, crop diversification and high-value farming. “If we scale high-value agriculture together, it will transform agriculture into a globally competitive sector,” he said, adding that stronger export-oriented production would also generate rural employment through food processing and value addition.He pointed to region-specific high-value crops such as cocoa, cashew and sandalwood, along with agarwood cultivation in the Northeast and temperate nut crops in Himalayan states, as key opportunities for boosting agricultural exports.
The Prime Minister also highlighted the fisheries sector as a major growth avenue, noting that India is already the world’s second-largest fish producer. He said production from reservoirs and ponds can expand significantly with improved hatcheries, feed systems and logistics.Calling fisheries a high-value sector capable of delivering strong rural income gains, Modi urged closer coordination between fisheries departments and local communities to unlock its potential.
He also described livestock and dairy as critical pillars of the rural economy, noting that India is the world’s largest milk producer and the second-largest producer of eggs. Strengthening breeding quality, disease prevention and scientific livestock management would further boost farmers’ incomes, he said.More than 125 crore vaccine doses have been administered to livestock to prevent foot-and-mouth disease, the Prime Minister noted, adding that the government is promoting advanced breeding and technology adoption through the Rashtriya Gokul Mission and encouraging private investment through the Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund.
Emphasising the importance of technology in modernising agriculture, Modi said the government is building digital public infrastructure for farming through AgriStack. Initiatives such as Kisan IDs and digital land surveys are helping create a data-driven ecosystem for farmers.“Technology delivers results when systems adopt it, institutions integrate it, and entrepreneurs build innovations on it,” he said, urging greater use of digital tools and artificial intelligence to strengthen the link between research institutions and farmers.

#WATCH | Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, "To protect animals from foot and mouth disease, more than 125 crore doses have been administered. Technology is being expanded under the National Gokul Mission. Under our government, farmers in the animal husbandry sector are… pic.twitter.com/my5zgnCTJE

— ANI (@ANI) March 6, 2026

The Prime Minister also highlighted the role of rural women in economic development, referring to the Lakhpati Didi programme, which aims to boost incomes of women associated with self-help groups. The government has already helped three crore women achieve higher incomes and aims to create three crore more “Lakhpati Didis” by 2029.Modi also called on experts, industry stakeholders and entrepreneurs to invest in agri-fintech, storage infrastructure and supply chains, expressing confidence that the discussions at the webinar would help accelerate the implementation of the Budget’s agriculture and rural development agenda.