Will the Path to Viksit Bharat Transform Our Villages?
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Synopsis
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman outlines a transformative vision for Viksit Bharat, emphasizing the empowerment of farmers and the establishment of processing hubs in every district. This initiative aims to ensure that the benefits of India's growth reach every household, aligning with the Prime Minister's vision for rural prosperity.
Key Takeaways
- Empowering farmers to become entrepreneurs.
- Transforming districts into agro-processing hubs.
- Aligning with the 'One District, One Product' initiative.
- Utilizing NABARD for food processing development.
- Fostering rural prosperity and self-sufficiency.
New Delhi, Oct 27 (NationPress) The journey towards Viksit Bharat is set to extend beyond just urban areas and industrial centers, as emphasized by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday.
In a series of updates shared on the X social media platform, she highlighted a media article authored by her, stating that this vision will be realized by empowering farmers as entrepreneurs, transforming every district into a processing hub, and ensuring that the advantages of India’s growth reach every family.
“An overarching brand known as Kalyana Sampada was established, encouraging each district to pinpoint an agricultural product or a selection of products that could be converted into value-added goods,” the Finance Minister elaborated.
This initiative complements Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of the 'One District, One Product' scheme, which serves as an extension of Make in India tailored for our ‘annadatas’ (farmers).
“In every district, a farmer producer company (FPC) was selected by NABARD to manage food processing and training facilities. My MPLADS funds were utilized to assist local farmers by bringing agro-processing capabilities to their neighborhoods,” the Finance Minister revealed.
She noted that agro-processing today requires capital, technology, and market linkages.
“In a world that is increasingly leaning towards protectionism, enhancing our domestic food processing capacity is crucial for national security. Achieving self-sufficiency in food processing not only ensures resilience against global disruptions but also fosters rural prosperity,” she stated in her posts on X.
India stands ready for this advancement. In the spirit of cooperative federalism, both the Centre and states need to collaborate to scale and replicate these successful models throughout the nation, FM Sitharaman added.
Earlier this month, she reassured farmers of unwavering support to enhance agricultural income during the inauguration of the Farmers Training and Common Facility Centre along with a new agro-processing unit in Karnataka.
While addressing the audience, she underscored various initiatives, including soil health cards, fertilizers, financial assistance, and the raised MSP for food grains and pulses.
Point of View
It's imperative to recognize the significance of this initiative. The focus on incorporating rural areas into the growth narrative aligns with the national interest, ensuring inclusivity and progress. The vision articulated by FM Sitharaman is a step towards a balanced development strategy that should resonate with every citizen.
NationPress
27/10/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Viksit Bharat initiative?
The Viksit Bharat initiative aims to extend India's growth beyond urban centers, focusing on empowering rural communities, particularly farmers, to become entrepreneurs and establishing processing hubs in every district.
How will farmers benefit from this initiative?
Farmers will benefit through empowerment as entrepreneurs, access to training and processing facilities, and enhanced market linkages, leading to increased agricultural income.
What is the 'One District, One Product' scheme?
The 'One District, One Product' scheme encourages each district to specialize in a particular agricultural product to promote local industries and enhance value addition.
What role does NABARD play in this initiative?
NABARD selects Farmer Producer Companies (FPC) in each district to manage food processing and training units, facilitating the development of agro-processing capabilities.
Why is domestic food processing capacity important?
Strengthening domestic food processing capacity is crucial for national security, ensuring resilience against global disruptions while fostering rural prosperity.
