Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, 12 November 2026 declared that previous governments were content to measure agricultural success by how full the country's granaries were — but that benchmark is now obsolete. Speaking at the Bharat Agriculture Conference 2026, organised by the India Today Group at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, Modi argued that evolving markets, shifting weather patterns and rapid technological change demand a fundamentally different approach to farming.

Key Remarks from the Prime Minister

Modi stressed that national progress is impossible without modernising agriculture and genuinely empowering farmers. He recalled the Saptadhara — the seven streams of national strength — he had outlined from the Red Fort on Independence Day, noting that agriculture forms a central pillar of that vision. 'Simply ensuring full grain warehouses cannot be the end goal,' he said. Farmers must move beyond subsistence and become true stakeholders in India's development journey.

Linking farming to India's cultural identity, Modi observed that major festivals — Bihu, Onam, Baisakhi, and the ongoing Chhath celebrations — are deeply rooted in agricultural cycles. 'Farming is not merely an economic activity but an integral part of India's culture, traditions and the foundation of its social life,' he said.

A Decade of Agricultural Growth

Modi cited data showing that India's agricultural growth rate has exceeded 4 per cent over the last decade — a level of sustained expansion the sector had not seen since Independence. He also noted a sharp decline in rural poverty during the same period, crediting policy focus and direct-benefit transfers as contributing factors. Critics and independent economists, however, have noted that farm incomes and rural wages have not always kept pace with headline growth rates, pointing to structural gaps that persist despite the numbers.

The Conference and Its Agenda

The two-day conference convened more than 2,000 farmers, policymakers, industry representatives and global experts under the theme 'Smart Kisan, Viksit Bharat' (Smart Farmer, Developed India). The gathering was designed to map out how Indian agriculture can integrate precision farming, digital market linkages and climate-resilient practices. This comes amid growing concern among farm groups over price volatility, insufficient cold-chain infrastructure, and the uneven penetration of agricultural technology in smallholder communities.

What Needs to Change, According to Modi

The Prime Minister's core argument was that the sector must adapt to new market opportunities, changing climatic conditions, and technological advances. He called for agriculture to become modern, resilient and remunerative — framing it as a core requirement for India's ambition of becoming a developed nation. Notably, the speech echoed themes from earlier farm-sector announcements but placed sharper emphasis on market integration and technology adoption rather than input subsidies or procurement price guarantees.

What Comes Next

The conference is expected to produce a set of recommendations for policymakers on digital agriculture, agri-tech investment and market reforms. With the farm sector employing roughly half of India's workforce, the outcomes of such deliberations carry significant political and economic weight. How the government translates the Prime Minister's vision into measurable policy shifts will be closely watched by farmer organisations and opposition parties alike.