President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday said prosperous farmers are the government’s foremost priority in achieving the goal of Viksit Bharat, citing record foodgrain output, rising farm-linked incomes and efforts to reduce imports of key agricultural commodities.
Addressing a joint sitting of Parliament at the start of the Budget session, the President said India produced more than 350 million tonnes of foodgrains last year, with rice output touching 150 million tonnes, the highest globally.
“India has also become the second-largest fish-producer globally. It reflects the nation’s success in the Blue Economy,” Murmu said, adding that India leads the world in milk production owing to its strong cooperative movement.
She said she felt “a sense of satisfaction to see that the youth, farmers, workers, and entrepreneurs of our country are continuously expanding their role towards building Viksit Bharat”.
Quoting Tamil poet-saint Thiruvalluvar, Murmu said the life of every individual depends on the hard work of farmers.
“In view of this, for my government, a prosperous farmer is its first priority for Viksit Bharat. With this spirit, the government launched a scheme like PM Kisan Samman Nidhi. Under this scheme, over Rs 4 lakh crore have been directly transferred to their bank accounts so far,” the President said.
Also read: Northeast at centre of India’s growth strategy: President Murmu
She said the government’s “sound policies and initiatives” had led to a sharp rise in agricultural output, with record production of foodgrains and horticulture crops in 2024-25.
“There has been a record production of foodgrains and horticulture crops in 2024-25. My government is also working for increasing the production of those crops in which our agriculture sector was lagging behind,” Murmu said.
Highlighting the push for self-reliance, she said imports of agricultural products were being reduced through national missions on edible oils, oilseeds and pulses.
“Through the National Missions on Edible Oils, Oilseeds, and Pulses, the nation is moving towards self-reliance in these sectors. As a result of this, in 2024-25, the production of oilseed crops has also increased,” she said.
Murmu said millets, branded as Shree-Anna, are being promoted globally to supplement farmers’ incomes, while livestock, fisheries and beekeeping are being encouraged as additional income sources.
She said new policies have been framed for fishermen along the coastline to access benefits under the Exclusive Economic Zone and to utilise resources in the High Seas.
In 2024-25, fish production rose to about 200 lakh tonnes, marking a 105 per cent increase compared to 2014, she said.
Referring to infrastructure support, Murmu said the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund has attracted private investment of over Rs 1.25 lakh crore.
“I am pleased to share with you that this initiative has so far attracted private investment of over Rs 1.25 lakh crore. This has also created lakhs of new employment opportunities for the youth,” she said.
The President added that food processing capacity has expanded twenty-fold, improving price realisation for farmers, while cooperative institutions, FPOs and initiatives such as Namo Drone Didi are helping modernise agriculture and empower women in rural areas.
Follow us
