Padma Shri Bharat Bhushan Tyagi hails Modi govt's farm reforms on PM's 76th birthday
Synopsis
On PM Modi's 76th birthday, Padma Shri awardee and Bulandshahr farmer Bharat Bhushan Tyagi called the agricultural changes under Modi's tenure historic — pointing to timely sugarcane payments, 10,000 Farmer Producer Companies, and rising youth interest in natural farming as proof of a structural shift in how India treats its farmers.
Key Takeaways
Padma Shri Bharat Bhushan Tyagi called agricultural changes under PM Modi historic on 17 September 2026 , the PM's 76th birthday .
Tyagi highlighted timely sugarcane payments and resolution of longstanding electricity and social security issues at the farm level.
The government's announcement of 10,000 Farmer Producer Companies was cited as a landmark structural step.
Tyagi defended the ethanol blending programme, calling claims that it is unsuitable for long-distance fuel use misinformation.
Post- COVID-19 , youth interest in natural, organic, and chemical-free farming is reportedly rising, according to Tyagi.
Padma Shri awardee and progressive farmer Bharat Bhushan Tyagi on 17 September 2026 described the agricultural transformation under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's tenure as historic, lauding the government's focus on farmers' income, cooperative development, and youth participation in farming. His remarks came on the occasion of PM Modi's 76th birthday, with Tyagi speaking from Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh.
Key Changes in Agriculture Under Modi's Tenure
Tyagi, who is himself a practising farmer from Bulandshahr, said that even the smallest agricultural issues have been addressed under the current administration. 'Under PM Modi's tenure, new options for agriculture are emerging every day. New resolutions and solutions are being developed to address agricultural issues at every level, ensuring that farmers become more productive, adopt technology and also contribute as energy providers,' he said.
He noted a marked shift in the nature of grievances raised at farmers' meetings. 'In the past, issues such as electricity, sugarcane payments and many other problems would repeatedly arise. Social security issues also came up, but now these issues are no longer raised in farmers' meetings. Sugarcane payments are made on time, and many opportunities have opened up for the future,' he said.
Farmer Producer Organisations and Youth Participation
Tyagi highlighted the establishment of Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) and cooperatives as a landmark shift, arguing that farmers are now being encouraged to transition from being mere producers to active participants in the business ecosystem. He praised the government's announcement of opening 10,000 Farmer Producer Companies as a significant structural step.
On youth involvement, he said that following the COVID-19 pandemic, a growing number of young people are turning towards agriculture, with particular interest in natural farming, organic farming, and chemical-free farming practices.
Tyagi Defends Ethanol Policy
Addressing ongoing debates around ethanol blending, Tyagi pushed back against what he described as misinformation. 'It is a matter of great concern that some people are making negative comments about ethanol. Misinformation is being spread that ethanol cannot be used as fuel for long distances, whereas it is beneficial for both farmers and the country's economy,' he said.
Tyagi argued that the ethanol programme directly benefits farmers by opening an additional revenue stream and reducing the country's dependence on imported fossil fuels.
Birthday Tribute to PM Modi
Offering a birthday tribute, Tyagi credited PM Modi with securing greater international recognition for Indian farmers and agriculture. 'I thank Modi for the way he has deployed the entire system for farmers and agriculture since becoming Prime Minister,' he said. He also wished the Prime Minister a long life, adding that the country continues to need his leadership.
As farming policy continues to evolve, the perspectives of farmer advocates like Tyagi are expected to remain central to the broader public debate around agricultural reform and rural development in India.
Point of View
Delivered on Modi's birthday, is advocacy as much as assessment — the framing of grievance-free farmers' meetings and timely sugarcane payments echoes government messaging rather than independent verification. The larger structural question — whether FPOs and ethanol blending have meaningfully raised average farm income — remains contested, with farm distress indicators in several states still stubbornly high. The ethanol defence, in particular, sidesteps legitimate concerns about food-versus-fuel trade-offs that economists and critics have raised. Positive farmer voices matter, but a fuller picture would weigh them against aggregate rural income data.
NationPress
17 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Bharat Bhushan Tyagi and why is his view significant?
Bharat Bhushan Tyagi is a Padma Shri awardee and progressive farmer from Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh, recognised for his contributions to sustainable and innovative farming. His views carry weight in agricultural policy discussions as a practitioner-advocate who combines field experience with public engagement.
What specific changes in agriculture did Tyagi credit to the Modi government?
Tyagi credited the Modi government with ensuring timely sugarcane payments, resolving electricity-related farmer grievances, launching 10,000 Farmer Producer Companies, promoting cooperatives, and encouraging youth participation in natural and organic farming.
What is the controversy around ethanol that Tyagi addressed?
Tyagi pushed back against claims that ethanol is unsuitable as fuel for long distances, calling such statements misinformation. He argued that the ethanol blending programme benefits farmers by creating an additional revenue stream and reduces India's dependence on imported fossil fuels.
What are Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) and why do they matter?
Farmer Producer Organisations are collectives that allow farmers to pool resources, access markets, and negotiate better prices, transitioning them from isolated producers to organised business entities. The government has announced plans to open 10,000 such companies, which Tyagi described as a major step toward sustainable agricultural development.
Why is youth participation in agriculture being highlighted?
Tyagi noted that the COVID-19 pandemic prompted many young people to return to or enter agriculture, with growing interest in natural, organic, and chemical-free farming. This demographic shift is seen as critical to making agriculture economically and environmentally sustainable in the long term.
