Addressing the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort on the 78th Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday emphasized the need to transform agriculture. He highlighted the government's extensive efforts to enhance the lives of farmers, expressing concern over the decline in soil health due to the excessive use of chemical fertilizers.
Prime Minister Modi mentioned that the government has launched initiatives to promote natural farming, with increased budget allocations to support these sustainable agricultural practices. He expressed confidence that India has the potential to become the organic food basket of the world, underscoring the importance of transforming our agricultural systems. According to him, this transformation is the need of the hour. The government is providing all possible assistance to farmers to help them adopt modern methods, including offering easy loans for the purchase of drones as one of the supportive measures.
In his address, the Prime Minister also laid out an ambitious vision for India's future. He stressed the significance of green jobs in the country's efforts to tackle climate change, noting that the focus is now on green growth and green employment opportunities. These initiatives will not only create jobs but also contribute to environmental protection. PM Modi reiterated India's commitment to becoming a global leader in green hydrogen production and in creating sustainable employment opportunities within the environmental protection and renewable energy sectors.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare has invited more than 1,000 farmers and their spouses to the National Capital for a special two-day programme coinciding with the 78th Independence Day celebrations. The theme of this year's Independence Day is 'Viksit Bharat @ 2047'.