New Delhi, Oct 11 (NationPress) Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially launched initiatives valued at Rs 42,000 crore aimed at revolutionizing the agricultural and related sectors.

The key programs unveiled include the PM Dhan Dhaanya Krishi Yojana and the Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses, boasting an investment of Rs 35,440 crore.

Additionally, projects worth over Rs 5,450 crore were initiated across agriculture, livestock, fisheries, and food processing.

PM Modi also laid the groundwork for further initiatives totaling approximately Rs 815 crore.

During his address, the Prime Minister emphasized the pivotal role of farmers in shaping a prosperous India.

“Farmers are central to our vision of a ‘Viksit Bharat’. It is essential for India to not only achieve self-sufficiency in food but also to cultivate crops aimed at international markets,” he stated.

He highlighted that the recent reduction in GST has provided significant advantages to rural areas and farmers.

While criticizing the previous administration for neglecting agriculture, PM Modi noted that the sector has experienced remarkable improvements over the past 11 years.

“India’s agricultural exports have nearly doubled during this period. Grain production has surged by almost 900 lakh metric tonnes, and fruit and vegetable yields have risen by over 640 lakh metric tonnes. Today, we proudly lead the world in milk production. We have initiated comprehensive reforms, covering everything from seeds to market access for the benefit of farmers,” he remarked.

PM Modi called for ongoing efforts to enhance every aspect of agriculture to realize the goal of a developed nation.

“Current initiatives focus on livestock, aquaculture, and beekeeping, empowering smallholders and landless families. In rural areas, initiatives like Namo Drone Didi are pioneering modern agricultural practices such as advanced spraying techniques. The recent GST reforms have significantly benefited rural populations, farmers, and livestock caretakers,” he asserted.

He also encouraged farmers to diversify their crops, moving beyond traditional staples like wheat and rice to include pulses, thereby ensuring protein security. The Pulses mission is crucial for reducing India’s reliance on imports by boosting local production.

Other inaugurated projects featured artificial insemination training centers in Bengaluru and Jammu and Kashmir, centers of excellence in Amreli and Banas, an IVF laboratory in Assam under the Rashtriya Gokul Mission, milk powder manufacturing facilities in Mehsana, Indore, and Bhilwara, as well as a fish feed factory under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana in Tezpur.

This event also celebrated significant milestones achieved through government initiatives, including the enrollment of 50 lakh farmers in 10,000 Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), of which 1,100 FPOs reported an annual turnover exceeding Rs 1 crore in 2024-25.