**Executive Summary**
This document summarizes Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address at a post-Budget webinar focused on Agriculture and Rural Transformation, held on March 6, 2026. The webinar aimed to discuss strategies for maximizing the Union Budget's impact on the agriculture sector and rural development. Key objectives include fostering a globally competitive agriculture sector, enhancing rural employment through value addition, and leveraging technology for agricultural advancement, with a focus on implementing budget provisions effectively.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**I. Agriculture and Rural Transformation**
* The Union Budget provides a strong impetus for agriculture and rural transformation.
* The government has continuously strengthened the agriculture sector, reducing risks for farmers and ensuring basic economic security.
* Scaling high-value agriculture is projected to transform the sector into a globally competitive one.
* Export-oriented production is expected to create rural employment through processing and value addition.
* Fisheries are identified as a significant platform for export growth and rural prosperity.
* Digital public infrastructure for agriculture, through AgriStack, is under development.
* Technology integration by systems, institutions, and entrepreneurs is crucial for delivering results.
* Agriculture remains a strategic pillar of the Indian economy and its long-term development.
* Existing schemes like 'PM Kisan Samman Nidhi' and 'PM Fasal Bima Yojana' have provided substantial financial benefits and insurance coverage to farmers.
* Institutional credit coverage has surpassed 75%.
* Efforts are being made to infuse new energy into the food grains and pulses sector for the 21st century.
* The government is committed to building rural prosperity through schemes like PM Awas Yojana and PM Gram Sadak Yojana, with Self-Help Groups playing a significant role.
* The 'Lakhpati Didi' campaign aims to create 3 crore women entrepreneurs by 2029.
**II. Export and High-Value Agriculture**
* The global demand is shifting, necessitating an export-oriented Indian agriculture sector.
* Full utilization of India's diverse climate is urged to enhance productivity and export strength.
* Budget proposals include region-specific promotion of high-value crops like cocoa, cashew, sandalwood, Agarwood, and temperate nut crops.
* A unified approach involving experts, industry, and farmers is needed to meet global branding and quality standards.
* Clear goals are essential to connect local farmers with global markets.
**III. Fisheries and Blue Economy**
* India is the world's second-largest fish producer, with potential for significant production increase.
* Fisheries can become a major platform for export growth.
* New business models are required in hatcheries, feed, and logistics to realize the Blue Economy's potential.
* Strong coordination between the fisheries department and local communities is encouraged.
**IV. Livestock and Animal Husbandry**
* India is the world's largest milk producer and second in egg production.
* Focus is required on quality breeding, disease prevention, and scientific management in livestock.
* The health of livestock is crucial, aligning with the 'One Earth, One Health' principle.
* Expansion of technology under the National Gokul Mission and availability of Kisan Credit Cards for animal husbandry farmers are highlighted.
* Over 125 crore doses have been administered to protect animals from Foot and Mouth Disease.
* The Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund has been established to encourage private investment.
**V. Risk Mitigation and Technology**
* Crop diversification is advocated to mitigate risks associated with single-crop dependency.
* Missions for edible oils, pulses, and natural farming are key to boosting the sector's strength.
* Agriculture, being a state subject, requires states to fulfill their budgetary responsibilities and strengthen provisions at the district level.
* A "technology culture" in agriculture is being promoted, with initiatives like e-NAM, Kisan IDs, and digital land surveys.
* AI-based platforms and digital surveys are important, but technology yields results only when integrated by institutions and entrepreneurs.
* Suggestions are sought on effectively merging technology with traditional systems.
* Innovation in agri-fintech and supply chains is encouraged, requiring increased investment.
**Impact Analysis**
**Farmers**
* **Impact:** They are beneficiaries of strengthened agricultural policies, reduced risks, enhanced economic security, and increased returns from schemes like PM Kisan Samman Nidhi and PM Fasal Bima Yojana. They are encouraged to adopt high-value crops and export-oriented production.
* **Action Required:** To actively participate in adopting new technologies, high-value crops, and export-oriented production. To engage in discussions and provide suggestions during webinars.
**Rural Communities**
* **Impact:** Expected to benefit from increased employment opportunities through processing and value addition, development of the fisheries sector, and promotion of rural prosperity schemes.
* **Action Required:** To actively participate in and contribute to the development of the fisheries sector and other rural initiatives.
**Industry and Entrepreneurs**
* **Impact:** Encouraged to invest in agri-fintech, supply chains, and innovation. They are key to integrating technology with traditional systems and developing new business models.
* **Action Required:** To increase investment in critical areas like agri-fintech and supply chains. To develop innovative solutions and integrate technology with traditional agricultural practices.
**State Governments**
* **Impact:** As agriculture is a state subject, they are crucial for the successful implementation of budget provisions and strengthening district-level initiatives.
* **Action Required:** To be inspired to fulfill their budgetary responsibilities and strengthen budget provisions at the district level for maximum impact.
**Institutions**
* **Impact:** Essential for integrating technology and ensuring its effective implementation in the agriculture sector.
* **Action Required:** To integrate technology into their systems and operations to ensure effective implementation and results.
Key Entities Referenced
Union Budget: The annual financial statement of the central government that dictates spending and resource allocation, with a focus on agriculture and rural transformation in this context.
AgriStack: A digital public infrastructure initiative for agriculture aimed at integrating technology and improving the sector.
PM Kisan Samman Nidhi: A government scheme providing financial support to farmers.
PM Fasal Bima Yojana: A government scheme providing crop insurance to farmers.
National Gokul Mission: A program focused on the development and conservation of indigenous cattle and buffaloes.
Prime Minister's Office
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addresses
Post Budget Webinar on Agriculture and Rural
Transformation
This year’s Union Budget gives a strong push to agriculture
and rural transformation : PM
Government has continuously strengthened the agriculture
sector ,major efforts have reduced the risks for farmers and
provided them with basic economic security: PM
If we scale high-value agriculture together, it will transform
agriculture into a globally competitive sector: PM
As export-oriented production increases, employment will be
created in rural areas through processing and value addition:
PM
Fisheries can become a major platform for export growth, a
high-value, high-impact sector of rural prosperity: PM
The government is developing digital public infrastructure for
agriculture through AgriStack: PM
Technology delivers results when systems adopt it,
institutions integrate it, and entrepreneurs build innovations
on it: PM
Posted On: 06 MAR 2026 1:01PM by PIB Delhi
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addressed the third post Budget Webinar today, focusing on "
Agriculture and Rural Transformation ". Reflecting on the previous sessions regarding technology and
economic growth, the Prime Minister noted that stakeholders had provided valuable cooperation during
the budget formulation. "Now, after the budget, it is equally important that the country reaps the benefits
of its full potential, and your suggestions in this direction and this webinar is thus important ", Shri Modi
emphasised.The Prime Minister highlighted that agriculture remains the mainstay of the Indian economy and a
strategic pillar for the nation's long-term developmental journey. Shri Modi emphasized several programs,
such as the ‘PM Kisan Samman Nidhi’, and ‘Minimum Support Price (MSP)’ reforms that provide
farmers with 1.5 times returns. " Our government has continuously strengthened the agriculture sector”,
Shri Modi remarked.
Providing data on the success of existing schemes, the Prime Minister noted that 10 crore farmers have
received over ₹4 lakh crore as PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, and nearly ₹2 lakh crore in insurance claims
have been settled under ‘PM Fasal Bima Yojana’. Shri Modi also noted that the institutional credit
coverage has become more than 75%. "Such numerous efforts have reduced the risks for farmers and
provided them with basic economic security," Shri Modi affirmed.
On record production in food grains and pulses, the Prime Minister called for infusing the sector with new
energy as the 21st century's second quarter begins. Highlighting that renewed efforts have been made in
this direction in this year’s Union Budget, Shri Modi expressed confidence that the webinar's deliberations
would fast-track the implementation of budget provisions. "I am confident that the discussion among you
in this webinar and the resulting suggestions will help in implementing the budget provisions on the
ground as quickly as possible", Shri Modi asserted.
The Prime Minister highlighted the shifting global demand and the necessity of making Indian agriculture
export-oriented. He urged the full utilization of India's diverse climate to increase productivity and export
strength. "In this webinar, it is essential to have maximum discussion on making our farming export-
oriented.", Shri Modi remarked,
Focusing on high-value agriculture, the Prime Minister detailed budget proposals for region-specific
promotion of crops like cocoa, cashew, and sandalwood. Shri Modi also highlighted the budget proposal
of promotion of Agarwood in the North East,and Temperate Nut crops in the Himalayan states.The Prime
Minister noted that export oriented production would lead to rural employment through processing and
value addition. "If we scale high-value agriculture together, it will transform agriculture into a globally
competitive sector",Shri Modi asserted.
The Prime Minister called for a unified approach involving experts, industry, and farmers to meet global
branding and quality standards. He stressed the importance of setting clear goals to connect local farmers
with global markets. "Discussions on all these topics will further enhance the importance of this
webinar.", Shri Modi remarked.
Turning to the fisheries sector, the Prime Minister stated that India is the world's second-largest fish
producer. Shri Modi further highlighted that while approximately 4.5 lakh tonnes of fish are currently
produced in our various reservoirs and ponds, there exists a potential for an additional 20 lakh tonnes of
production. "Fisheries can become a major platform for export growth.”, Shri Modi remarked.
The Prime Minister emphasized the need for new business models in hatcheries, feed, and logistics to
realize the potential of the Blue Economy. He encouraged strong coordination between the fisheries
department and local communities. "This can become a high-value, high-impact sector for rural prosperity,
and you must deliberate on this together.", Shri Modi emphasised.
The Prime Minister stated that India is the world's largest milk producer today and ranks second in egg
production. He highlighted that to take this further, the focus must be on breeding quality, disease
prevention, and scientific management. Shri Modi further emphasized that the health of livestock is a
crucial subject, noting, "When I speak of 'One Earth, One Health,' it includes the health of livestock."
Highlighting India's self-reliance in vaccine production, the Prime Minister noted the expansion of
technology under the National Gokul Mission and the availability of Kisan Credit Cards for animal
husbandry farmers. The Prime Minister stated that more than 125 crore doses have already beenadministered to protect animals from Foot and Mouth Disease. "To encourage private investment, the
Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund has also been started," the Prime Minister added.
To mitigate risks, the Prime Minister advocated for crop diversification over single-crop dependency. He
cited missions for edible oils, pulses, and natural farming as tools to boost the sector's strength. Shri Modi
emphasized, "Therefore, we are focusing on crop diversification."
The Prime Minister reminded participants that since agriculture is a state subject, states must be inspired
to fulfill their budgetary responsibilities. He called for strengthening budget provisions at the district level
for maximum impact.
The Prime Minister spoke extensively on the "technology culture" in agriculture, referencing e-NAM and
the development of digital public infrastructure. He noted the creation of Kisan IDs and digital land
surveys as transformative steps. Shri Modi asserted, "The government places great emphasis on bringing a
'technology culture' to agriculture."
Highlighting the role of AI-based platforms and digital surveys, the Prime Minister stated that technology
only yields results when it is integrated by institutions and entrepreneurs. He called for suggestions on
how to effectively merge technology with traditional systems. The Prime Minister remarked, "The
suggestions emerging from this webinar will play a major role in how we correctly integrate technology."
The Prime Minister reiterated the government's commitment to rural prosperity through schemes like PM
Awas Yojana and PM Gram Sadak Yojana. He specifically noted the impact of Self-Help Groups on the
rural economy. Shri Modi affirmed, "Our government is committed to building rural prosperity."
Discussing the 'Lakhpati Didi' campaign, the Prime Minister set a target of creating 3 crore more such
successful women entrepreneurs by 2029. He sought suggestions on how to achieve this goal with greater
speed. The PM stressed, "Your suggestions on how to achieve this goal even faster will be significant."
Closing his address, the Prime Minister pointed to the massive storage campaign and the need for
innovation in agri-fintech and supply chains. He urged entrepreneurs to increase investment in these
critical areas to energize the rural landscape. The Prime Minister concluded, "I am confident that the
nectar emerging from your deliberations today will provide new energy to the rural economy."
This year’s Union Budget gives a strong push to agriculture and rural
transformation. Addressing a post-budget webinar on expanding opportunities
across the sector.
https://t.co/LPbnWsEZ5C
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 6, 2026
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