Padma Shri awardee Sethpal Singh of Saharanpur on 17 September 2026 extended birthday greetings to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, crediting him with driving technology adoption and innovation across India's agricultural sector. Modi, who turns 76 today, has been receiving congratulatory messages from public figures and citizens whose lives have been shaped by the government's farm-focused initiatives.

Recognition for Agricultural Reform

Speaking to reporters, Sethpal Singh praised the Prime Minister's sustained focus on farmers' welfare over the past 12 years, listing a range of schemes from drip irrigation promotion to agricultural diversification as evidence of policy continuity. 'We pray to God that just as he has enhanced India's prestige at the national and international levels, he continues to bring glory to the country,' Singh said.

Singh specifically highlighted the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme, under which farmers receive financial assistance of ₹6,000 annually, as a meaningful intervention in reducing agricultural distress. He also pointed to the nationwide soil-testing campaign, which he said raised awareness among farmers about land health and helped address nutrient deficiencies.

Technology as the Centrepiece

The Padma Shri awardee argued that technology adoption — from artificial intelligence tools to innovations developed by agricultural universities — has the potential to make farming both more profitable and environmentally sustainable. He cited the introduction of Nano Urea, Nano DAP, and Nano Zinc as concrete examples of how newer products have helped reduce input costs, improve produce quality, and minimise adverse environmental impact.

'Major changes are possible only when farmers adopt new technologies,' Singh noted. He added that these innovations have also contributed to protecting soil health and beneficial insects, addressing concerns that intensive farming had long neglected.

On Farmer Outreach and Trust

Singh acknowledged that farmers had historically staged protests over issues including water, electricity, fertilisers, and minimum support prices. He credited Modi with making consistent efforts to engage with farmer representatives and resolve grievances. 'Whether it is the availability of fertilisers or ensuring the timely delivery of essential resources to farmers despite global challenges, these factors have helped build trust among the farming community,' he said.

Singh also referred to Modi completing 25 years in constitutional office, calling it a matter of pride for India, and expressed hope that the Prime Minister would continue encouraging India's youth to pursue agriculture through skill development, startups, and value addition.

A Padma Shri Moment for Farming

Sethpal Singh reflected on his own Padma Shri honour, saying that seeing farmers recognised at Rashtrapati Bhavan was a matter of pride for the entire farming community. He said the recognition helped bring national attention to the hard work and contributions of those who work in the fields. India, he noted, is an agricultural country with the world's second-largest population, making farmers central to the country's food security.

With India's agrarian economy at a crossroads between traditional practices and technology-driven transformation, Singh's remarks reflect a growing constituency of farmers who see institutional change — however incremental — as a step forward.