Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched two major schemes in the agriculture sector, with an outlay of Rs 35,440 crore. He launched the PM Dhan Dhaanya Krishi Yojana which has an outlay of Rs.24,000 crore. He also launched the Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses with an outlay of Rs. 11,440 crore. The Prime Minister also inaugurated and dedicated to the nation projects valued at over Rs 5,450 crore in the agriculture, animal husbandry, fisheries, and food processing sectors, while laying the foundation stone for additional projects worth around Rs 815 crore.
Participating in a special Krishi programme at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, he remarked, that the Pradhan Mantri Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana and Dalhan Atmanirbharta Mission (Pulse Self-Reliance Mission) are designed to usher in a new era of self-reliance, rural empowerment, and agricultural innovation, directly benefiting crores of farmers across the nation. “The Government of India will invest over Rs 35,000 crore in these initiatives, reflecting its unwavering commitment to doubling farmers’ incomes and achieving food and nutritional security for the country”, Modi said.
The Prime Minister emphasized the central role that agriculture and farming have always played in India’s development journey. He noted that a rapidly developing 21st-century India required a robust and reformed agricultural system, and this transformation began after 2014 under his government.
“We broke away from the apathy of the past. From seed to market, we introduced comprehensive reforms in the interest of our farmers. These reforms were not just policy changes. They were structural interventions aimed at making Indian agriculture modern, sustainable, and resilient,” Modi said.
Agricultural exports doubled in 11 years
The Prime Minister stated that in the last eleven years, India’s agricultural exports have nearly doubled. Foodgrain production has increased by approximately 90 million metric tonnes. Fruit and vegetable production has grown by more than 64 million metric tonnes. India today ranks first in the world in milk production and is the second-largest fish producer globally. Honey production has doubled compared to 2014, and egg production has also doubled over the same period.
He further informed that six major fertilizer plants have been established in the country during this time. More than 25 crore Soil Health Cards have been distributed to farmers. Micro-irrigation facilities have reached 100 lakh hectares of agricultural land. Under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, insurance claims worth Rs 2 lakh crore have been disbursed to farmers. Over the past eleven years, more than 10,000 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) have been formed to enhance farmer cooperation and market access.
PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana for a developed country
He emphasized that if India is to become a developed country, continuous improvement and progress in every sector is essential. It is with this vision that the PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana has been launched. Modi emphasized that the inspiration behind the PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana comes directly from the success of the Aspirational Districts model.
He underscored that under the PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana, we are bringing together 36 different government schemes in a unified and coordinated manner. Whether it is the National Mission on Natural Farming, the ‘Per Drop More Crop’ campaign for efficient irrigation, or the Oilseeds Mission to boost oilseed production. Many such initiatives are being integrated under one umbrella including special focus on livestock development. “Under the PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana, localized livestock health campaigns will also be launched to ensure continued care and disease prevention at the grassroots level,” Modi said.
Dalhan Atmanirbharata Mission to increase pulse production
Modi said that the Dalhan Atmanirbharata Mission is aimed not only at increasing pulse production but also at strengthening the future generations of the country. The Prime Minister highlighted that India’s farmers have recently achieved record production of food grains such as wheat and rice, positioning India among the world’s top producers.
“However, there is a need to look beyond just flour and rice for sustenance. While these staples can relieve hunger, proper nutrition requires a more diverse diet. Protein, especially for the largely vegetarian population of India, plays a critical role in both physical and mental growth. Pulses remain the most significant source of plant-based protein,” Modi noted.
“The Dalhan Atmanirbharata Mission seeks to address this challenge by boosting domestic pulse production, thereby enhancing nutritional security and self-reliance. The Dalhan Atmanirbharata Mission, with an investment of over 11,000 crore rupees, will provide substantial support to farmers”, he emphasized.
Modi highlighted that the goal is to increase the area under pulse cultivation by 35 lakh hectares. Under this mission, production of tur, urad, and masoor pulses will be increased, and a proper system for procurement of pulses will be ensured. This will directly benefit nearly two crore pulse farmers across the country.
Beyond traditional agriculture
Emphasizing the government’s commitment to increasing farmers’ income by expanding opportunities beyond traditional agriculture, Modi stated that sectors like animal husbandry, fisheries, and beekeeping are being actively promoted to provide additional income sources, particularly for small and landless farmers.
Highlighting the honey production sector as a success story, the Prime Minister noted that India’s honey output has nearly doubled in the last eleven years. He further shared that while honey exports stood at around Rs 450 crore six to seven years ago, they have now surged to over Rsb 1,500 crore. This dramatic rise in exports, he said, represents three times more income flowing directly to farmers, demonstrating the tangible benefits of agricultural diversification and value addition.
The Prime Minister reiterated the government’s focus on empowering farmers through innovation, investment, and market access, making them key drivers of a self-reliant and developed India.