India’s New Agricultural Journey: Beyond Crops, Towards Prosperity
Shivraj Singh Chouhan
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Indian agriculture has over the past 12 years entered a completely new era. Earlier, our biggest concern was ensuring that the country did not face a shortage of foodgrains and that hunger could somehow be prevented. Today, Prime Minister Modi’s visionary leadership and farmer-centric policies have transformed agriculture from being merely a “sector of production” into an integrated foundation for farmers’ prosperity, risk protection, nutritional security, green technology and rural development. For the first time since the Green Revolution, policy focus has shifted from simply asking “how much production” to deeper questions such as “what is the farmer’s actual income, how sustainable is agriculture, and how strong is the rural economy.” It is with this broader thinking that the Pulses and Oilseeds Mission, Cotton Mission, National Mission on Natural Farming, Pradhan Mantri Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PM-DDKY), Khet Bachao Abhiyan, digital agriculture and research-led innovation are all being connected through one comprehensive vision for agricultural transformation and rural prosperity.
Beyond Production: Income, Security and the Rural Economy
Today, India has achieved a record foodgrain production of 376.563 million tonnes, the highest in the nation’s history. Paddy, wheat, maize, pulses and oilseeds have all registered remarkable growth.
This is not merely a story of increased production; it is evidence of the expansion and strengthening of the overall rural economy. Alongside this, the Modi government has placed equal emphasis on farmers’ risk protection and income security. Under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN), more than Rs 4.27 lakh crore has so far been directly transferred into farmers’ bank accounts through 22 installments, providing regular annual income support to over nine crore farmer families across the country. At the same time, the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) has provided a strong insurance shield to crores of farmer applicants by protecting them against crop losses caused by natural disasters and other adverse conditions.
Investments in irrigation, rural roads, agricultural infrastructure, warehouses and cold-chain systems have strengthened all three critical pillars of agriculture — production, storage and market access.
Agriculture today is no longer confined to the boundaries of farmland alone. Dairy, fisheries, poultry, horticulture, beekeeping, food processing, storage systems, rural industries, solar energy and the service sector are all combining to create a new and diversified rural economy. This transformation is generating employment opportunities, increasing rural incomes and building resilience among farming communities. The government’s vision is not merely to support farming activity, but to create an entire ecosystem where agriculture becomes the foundation of economic growth, entrepreneurship and rural development.
Pulses, Oilseeds and Cotton Missions: Self-Reliance and Price Security
For a long time, the sectors of pulses, edible oils and cotton remained below their full potential. India remained dependent on imports for pulses and edible oils, while cotton farmers frequently had to face volatility in global markets. Recognising the strategic importance of these sectors, the Modi government has accorded them special priority and launched separate missions to address their challenges in a comprehensive manner.
Through the National Pulses Mission, work is being carried out across the entire value chain — from seeds to markets — in order to increase both the cultivated area and productivity of tur, urad, masoor, gram and other pulses. This includes the promotion of high-yield varieties, cluster-based farming, processing units, a strengthened MSP (minimum support price) framework, government procurement systems, storage facilities and export support. The objective is clear: India should become fully self-reliant in pulses, reduce its import bill and ensure that farmers receive sustainable incomes from these high-value crops.
Similarly, under the Oilseeds Mission, special emphasis is being placed on crops such as mustard, soybean, sunflower, sesame and palm oil. This is not merely a programme aimed at increasing production. It is part of a larger national strategy to achieve self-reliance in edible oils, strengthen the country’s oil security and provide better prices to farmers. The mission seeks to improve productivity through scientific interventions, modern agricultural practices and improved market linkages.
Alongside these efforts, the Cotton Mission is focusing on high-yield and pest-resistant cotton varieties, advanced farming systems, integrated pest management, crop diversification, better integration with the textile value chain and quality improvement measures. Cotton is a major cash crop for millions of Indian farmers, and the mission aims to ensure that farmers not only increase production but also receive stable incomes, better market value and globally competitive quality standards. Through these initiatives, the government seeks to reduce dependence on imports while simultaneously strengthening farmers’ incomes and India’s agricultural economy.
National Mission on Natural Farming: A New Path for One Crore Farmers Across 75 Lakh Hectares
Rapidly increasing dependence on chemicals, declining soil health and growing pressure on groundwater resources are warning signs that farming methods must change. Recognising this challenge, natural farming is being advanced as a national mission under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Our commitment is to sensitise one crore farmers towards natural farming practices, actively prepare around 18 lakh farmers to adopt natural farming and gradually bring nearly 75 lakh hectares of land under natural cultivation practices in a phased manner.
This transformation is being carried out gradually, on the basis of scientific evidence and farmers’ own experiences. Small farmers are being encouraged to experiment with natural farming models on a portion of their land. They are being provided training, locally sourced input packages, certification support, branding assistance and market connectivity. The broader objective is to improve soil fertility, reduce chemical input costs, make crops more resilient against climate-related shocks and provide consumers with healthier and more nutritious food.
Natural farming is also being viewed as a sustainable response to climate change. By reducing excessive chemical usage and promoting ecological balance, the mission seeks to preserve biodiversity, conserve water and restore long-term productivity of agricultural land. The government believes that the future of Indian agriculture lies not only in higher production but also in sustainability, environmental protection and improved health outcomes for both farmers and consumers.
Pradhan Mantri Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana and Focus on 100 Low-Productivity Districts
In a vast country like India, some regions progress rapidly while others continue to lag behind for various reasons. To reduce this imbalance, the Pradhan Mantri Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana has been conceptualised. Under this initiative, nearly 100 low-productivity districts have been identified where per-hectare yields remain significantly below the national average and farmers are unable to obtain expected returns from agriculture.
In these districts, convergence of 36 schemes from 11 departments is being implemented through an integrated development package. This includes irrigation, soil health management, seeds, fertilisers, crop diversification, animal husbandry, horticulture, agricultural equipment, skill development, infrastructure and market linkages — all being brought together under one coordinated framework. The central idea is that government schemes should not function in isolated ‘silos’; instead, they should work collectively with the farmer and the village at the centre of planning and implementation.
This marks an important shift in policy thinking. The focus is no longer limited to ‘how much production is taking place’, but also on identifying areas where productivity remains low and ensuring that targeted investments and interventions help increase yields and raise farmers’ incomes. The scheme seeks to create balanced agricultural growth and reduce regional disparities in rural development.
‘Khet Bachao Abhiyan’: Balancing Soil, Water and Farmers’ Interests
In the race to increase production, pressure on soil and water resources has intensified in many regions. Imbalanced fertiliser use, excessive extraction of groundwater and limited crop rotation have adversely affected the health of agricultural land. If corrective measures are not taken in time, future generations may inherit weakened soils and degraded farmlands.
Keeping this challenge in mind, the Khet Bachao Abhiyan has been launched. This campaign is not merely about protecting soil; it is about safeguarding farmers’ incomes, ensuring food quality and securing the country’s long-term food security. The campaign carries five key messages. Every farmer should use fertilisers based on soil testing; excessive dependence on DAP (diammonium phosphate) and urea should be reduced while balanced NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium) use, micronutrients, bio-fertilisers and nano-fertilisers should be promoted; green manure, organic manure and integrated nutrient management should be encouraged; farmers should remain vigilant against fake seeds, fertilisers and pesticides and immediately inform authorities about such cases; and organised movement towards natural farming and climate-resilient agricultural practices should be strengthened.
The objective is not to abruptly reduce fertiliser usage, but to ensure that every farmer uses the right quantity, at the right time and in the right combination. This will help maintain long-term soil health, reduce cultivation costs and protect productivity. The campaign also seeks to create awareness among farmers about sustainable farming methods that balance profitability with environmental conservation.
Science, Digital Agriculture and the Role of ICAR
Science, research and digital technology form the backbone of all these efforts. Between 2014 and 2025, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the National Agricultural Research System (NARS) developed nearly 3,000 climate-resilient crop varieties capable of withstanding drought, floods, heat waves, salinity and other environmental stresses. In total, more than 3,800 high-yield varieties and over 200 bio-fortified varieties have been released, strengthening not only productivity but also nutritional security.
Under the Digital Agriculture Mission and ‘AgriStack’, systems such as Farmer IDs, digitisation of crop plots, drone-based services, pest and disease monitoring, weather-based advisories and location-specific recommendations are being developed. These initiatives are rapidly reducing the gap between laboratories and farms, and between data collection and decision-making.
Through platforms such as e-NAM, Kisan Saarthi, Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) networks, mobile messaging services, WhatsApp groups, community radio and social media, scientists, extension workers and farmer leaders are now able to communicate directly with farmers. Agriculture and rural development are increasingly being viewed together through a holistic lens. Roads, electricity, internet connectivity, Self-Help Groups, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), rural industries and skill-development programmes can accelerate employment generation, entrepreneurship and social transformation in villages only when they move in step with agricultural development.
Technology is also helping create transparency and efficiency in governance. Digital systems are making subsidies, insurance benefits and advisory services more accessible to farmers. The integration of modern research with grassroots implementation is enabling Indian agriculture to become more competitive, sustainable and resilient in the face of future challenges.
Beyond the Quantity of Crops: Concrete Steps Towards Farmers’ Confidence
In the coming years, India will have to further strengthen its agricultural system amid global food, nutrition and climate challenges. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision is clear — farmers’ incomes must rise, their hard work must receive proper value and respect, and self-reliance in pulses, oilseeds and cotton must strengthen nutritional, edible oil and textile security.
Through PM-KISAN, PMFBY, natural farming, the Khet Bachao Abhiyan and climate-resilient technologies, the government seeks to ensure the protection of soil, water and farmers themselves. Through the Pradhan Mantri Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana, targeted investment in low-productivity districts will reduce regional disparities and help every farmer progress. Science, research and digital technology will make farming more efficient, resilient, sustainable and globally competitive.
When the farm survives, the farmer survives. When the farmer survives, agriculture survives. And when agriculture survives, India’s future will remain secure, prosperous and self-reliant. Under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, this is the essence of India’s new agricultural journey — moving beyond crops towards the confidence of farmers and the prosperity of rural India.
(The Author is Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, and Rural Development)
