Modi launches ₹35,440-crore agri schemes, calls for self-reliance in pulses

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched two major agricultural initiatives worth ₹35,440 crore, aimed at boosting productivity and reducing India’s import dependency in the farm sector.

Speaking at an event held at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) campus in Pusa, the Prime Minister unveiled a new mission for self-reliance in pulses and other allied schemes designed to strengthen the country’s agricultural infrastructure. He urged farmers to increase production not only to meet domestic needs but also to capture global markets.

“India’s farmers have a pivotal role in achieving the goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047,” Modi said, stressing that the new initiatives would empower cultivators, improve incomes, and enhance sustainability across the agricultural value chain.

The Prime Minister also used the occasion to take a swipe at the Congress, accusing previous governments of “neglecting” the farm sector. “For decades, farmers were left to struggle without proper planning or investment. Our government has changed that with a mission-driven approach,” he asserted.

The event coincided with the birth anniversaries of noted socialist reformers Jayaprakash Narayan and Nanaji Deshmukh, both of whom were remembered for their contributions to rural development and social empowerment.

Highlighting India’s rising demand for pulses, Modi said the country must aim to become self-sufficient in essential crops through innovation, technology adoption, and better resource management. He noted that the government’s focus on research, crop diversification, and farmer welfare would help secure India’s position as a global leader in sustainable agriculture.

Senior ministers, agricultural scientists, and representatives from farmers’ organizations attended the event. The schemes are expected to benefit millions of cultivators across India through improved productivity, market linkages, and infrastructure support.