Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s unwavering commitment to the welfare of farmers is evident in the unprecedented steps taken by his government. From establishing a dynamic ecosystem offering diverse opportunities, including allied sectors and technological interventions, to providing support for small and marginal farmers to improve their income, PM Modi has tirelessly prioritized agricultural development. Today, India is entering a new era of inclusive, sustainable, and technology-driven agriculture, thanks to the relentless efforts of the Modi Government over the past decade.
Schemes like PM-KISAN and PM Fasal Bima Yojana are improving farmers’ lives. Indian farmers now have access to affordable modern technology like drones, ensuring health, time savings, and reduced wastage of pesticides and fertilizers. In PM Modi’s vision for agricultural progress, every farmer matters.
Funds released under PM-KISAN reach farmers directly through technologies like Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), emphasizing farmers as one of the four pillars of Viksit Bharat (Developed India). Small farmers are at the heart of agricultural welfare, as PM-KISAN funds cater to their needs, making them self-reliant and reducing dependence on others for financial support.
PM Modi prioritizes four castes: the ‘Garib’ (Poor), ‘Nari’ (Women), ‘Yuva’ (Youth), and ‘Annadata’ (Farmers). The government is dedicated to addressing their needs and aspirations, as their progress is integral to the nation’s advancement.
Other schemes benefitting the ‘Annadata’ of our Nation include PM Kisan Sampada Yojana, PM Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises Yojana, PM-KISAN SAMMAN Yojana, and PM Fasal Bima Yojana, among others.
The government’s far-sighted vision of reviving millet cultivation and consumption enhances farmers’ income and ensures India’s food and nutritional security. Schemes like PM KUSUM and initiatives to boost ethanol blending further contribute to fulfilling India’s energy needs.
Today, women farmers, or ‘Agripreneurs,’ are independently managing farming responsibilities, thanks to the pro-farmer policies of the Modi Government.
Promoting water harvesting, conservation, and judicious use aligns with PM Modi’s vision of ‘Per Drop More Crop.’ The call for a second green revolution in eastern states, coupled with scientific interventions, fosters sustainability in agriculture.
Initiatives like ‘One Nation, One Fertilizer’ under Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Urvarak Pariyojana (PMBJP) prevent the exploitation of our ‘Annadatas.’
Under PM Modi’s leadership, combining traditional knowledge with technology has helped revive India’s agricultural produce, witnessing exponential growth in expenditure and exports over the last decade.
How the establishment aiding the Annadatas?
As of March 2023, a total of 1,138 agricultural startups have received backing through the Agriculture Accelerator Fund, securing financial assistance amounting to over Rs. 70 crores. PM KUSUM, making the food producers and the energy producers! With nearly 2.46 lakh farmers benefactors since August 2023, the scheme has resulted in increased incomes for the farmers besides curbing environmental pollution.
why farmers’ protest isn’t genuine
A detailed explanation given below with facts: Is MSP Guarantee Law Even Feasible? The farmers are marching on to the national capital, demanding an MSP guarantee law. Some farmer groups are even demanding a legislation for universal MSP, that is, every crop cultivated by the farmer should be open to procurement at an MSP (Minimum Support Price) by the government in the Centre. Three numbers alone can debunk this entire narrative. One, the total value of agricultural produce is at Rs. 40 Lakh Crore (FY20). This includes produce from dairy, farming, horticulture, livestock, and MSP crops. Two, the market value of the total agricultural produce is at Rs. 10 Lakh Crore (FY20). These include 24 crops that are included in the MSP purview. For the last two-three years, people have been made to believe, rather falsely, that MSP is integral to India’s agricultural operations. However, that is far from the truth. For FY20, the total MSP procurement stood at Rs. 2.5 Lakh Crore, that is 6.25 per cent of the total agricultural produce, and 25-odd per cent of the produce under MSP.
Now, if an MSP guarantee law were to be introduced, the government would be looking at an additional expenditure of at least Rs. 10 Lakh Crore, annually, that is each year. To put things in perspective, that is almost equivalent to the expenditure (Rs. 11.11 Lakh Crore) this government has set aside for infrastructure in the recent interim budget. Rs. 10 Lakh Crore is also more than the annual average expenditure we have had on our infrastructure in the last seven fiscal years (Rs. 67 Lakh Crore, between 2016 and 2023). Clearly, a universal MSP demand does not make any economic or fiscal sense, and is a politically motivated argument against the government which has had an extensive welfare record for the last ten years.
However, even if, for the sake of argument, one were to assume that the cost can be borne by the government, at Rs. 10 Lakh Crore, where would the money come from? Are we, as citizens, alright with the idea of significantly reduced government spending in infrastructure and defense, or more taxation through direct and indirect taxes? Clearly, the problem is not agricultural, or economic, and purely political, attempted before the Lok Sabha elections of 2024, and backed by political parties under the radar for extensive corruption. The mere idea of spending Rs. 10 Lakh Crore, annually, from a budget expenditure of Rs. 45 Lakh Crore (FY25), is equivalent to a fiscal disaster that will clearly derail our fastest growing economy. Look How in the Interim Budget of 2024-25 gave Schemes to empower our Annadatas by Modi Sarkar
Interim Budget 2024-25 promises to enhance value addition in the agricultural sector and further boost farmers’ income. The budget announces increased promotion of private and public investment in post-harvest activities, including primary and secondary processing, and marketing.
Direct financial assistance will be provided to 11.8 crore farmers under the PM-KISAN Samman Yojana, with crop insurance extended to 4 crore farmers under the PM Fasal Bima Yojana.
A strategy will be formulated to achieve self-reliance (‘Atmanirbharta’) in oilseeds production. Additionally, the application of Nano DAP on various crops will be expanded across all agroclimatic zones.
Now, everyone will come to understand the realities behind the Farmers’ Protest, which is undoubtedly politically motivated. Despite substantial funds allocated at every stage to support our farmers, the schemes aimed at ‘Annadatas’ have been thoroughly analyzed, considering all their pros and cons. My vote unequivocally supports a government that is transparent and dedicated to transforming the lives of our farmers.