Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 13 November 2026 addressed the Kisan Tak Bharat Agriculture Conference 2026 in New Delhi, declaring that agricultural development, smarter farming and farmer empowerment are cornerstones of the Viksit Bharat vision. Speaking before agricultural scientists, entrepreneurs and farmers drawn from across the country, Modi outlined a decade of sectoral gains while revealing how the government absorbed a massive fuel price shock triggered by the West Asia conflict to protect farmers and consumers.

India's Agricultural Gains Over a Decade

Modi cited a landmark milestone: the agricultural sector recorded average annual growth of over 4 per cent for the first time since Independence, sustained over the past decade. India now ranks first globally in production of milk, pulses, jute, rice and millet, and second in wheat, cotton, fruits, vegetables and fish. Agricultural exports have crossed ₹4 lakh crore annually.

Allied sectors have expanded sharply as well. Milk production has risen by nearly 70 per cent, egg production by around 90 per cent, and fish production has more than doubled. Honey output has climbed from approximately 80,000 tonnes to 1.5 lakh tonnes, while horticulture production has grown from 280 million tonnes to over 350 million tonnes.

How India Absorbed the Diesel Price Shock

Modi disclosed that escalating hostilities in West Asia drove crude oil prices from around $70 per barrel to $122 per barrel within weeks, creating pressure to raise diesel prices by at least ₹50 per litre. Instead of passing the full burden to consumers, the government limited the diesel price increase to just ₹7 per litre, absorbing ₹43 per litre itself — an expenditure of approximately ₹14,000 crore per month, according to Modi.

He contrasted India's response with that of several neighbouring countries, which reportedly raised fuel prices by 40 to 50 per cent. The subsidy, he argued, shielded farmers — the most fuel-dependent segment of the rural economy — from international market volatility.

Solar Power, Soil Testing and Technology Push

Highlighting the PM-KUSUM Yojana, Modi said nearly 12 lakh solar pumps have been distributed, enabling farmers to transition from being solely food producers — 'Annadatas' — to energy providers, or 'Urjadatas'. Soil testing facilities have expanded from a few hundred in 2014 to over 8,400 laboratories, backed by more than 725 Krishi Vigyan Kendras. Free vaccination against Foot and Mouth Disease has benefited livestock owned by more than 8 crore farmers.

The Prime Minister also highlighted the role of Namo Drone Didis, who have demonstrated drone-based fertiliser and pesticide applications in rural areas, and pointed to growing opportunities in agri-engineering, artificial intelligence, sensor-based farming equipment and agricultural startups.

Fertiliser Subsidies and Farmer Producer Organisations

Modi noted that the government has spent ₹16 lakh crore over 12 years to keep fertilisers affordable. DAP fertiliser, which costs around ₹5,000 internationally, is supplied to farmers at ₹1,300. Urea, priced at ₹3,000 in the open market, is made available for less than ₹300. The development of 10,000 Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) is helping small cultivators access value addition, food processing and export markets.

Closing his address, Modi called for deeper collaboration among farmers, scientists, engineers and entrepreneurs to build a modern, profitable and sustainable agricultural ecosystem, reaffirming that prosperous farmers and thriving villages are essential to a developed India. Policy watchers will now track whether the fuel subsidy expenditure of ₹14,000 crore per month is sustainable as the West Asia situation remains fluid.