Post Budget Webinar: Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addressed a post-budget webinar on agriculture and rural prosperity today via video conferencing. Emphasizing the importance of stakeholder participation, he highlighted that this year’s budget is the first full budget of the government’s third term, ensuring policy continuity and expanding the vision of Viksit Bharat.
PM Modi expressed gratitude for the valuable inputs received before the budget and underscored the stakeholders’ crucial role in making budget initiatives more effective. “Our resolve towards the goal of Viksit Bharat is very clear, and together, we are building an India where farmers are prosperous and empowered,” he stated.
Major Announcements and Developments
PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana: Over the last six years, nearly ₹3.75 lakh crore has been directly transferred to 11 crore farmers, strengthening the rural economy with an annual financial assistance of ₹6,000 per farmer.
Agricultural Growth: Agricultural production has surged from 265 million tons a decade ago to over 330 million tons today, with horticultural production exceeding 350 million tons.
PM Dhan Dhanya Krishi Yojana: A new initiative targeting the development of the 100 least productive agricultural districts to boost farmers’ income and agricultural output.
Boost in Pulse Production: While India has achieved self-sufficiency in chickpeas and mung, efforts are being made to enhance the production of pigeon peas, black gram, and lentils to reduce import dependence.
National Mission for High-Yield Seeds: Over 2,900 new crop varieties have been developed in the last decade, and the budget has announced a national mission to ensure affordability and accessibility of high-yield seeds.
Fisheries Sector Growth: The PM Matsya Sampada Yojana, launched in 2019, has significantly improved production and exports, with a focus on sustainable fishing and ease of doing business in the sector.
Rural Development Initiatives
PM Modi reiterated the government’s commitment to rural prosperity through various schemes:
PM Awas Yojana-Gramin: Providing homes to millions of poor families.
Swamitva Yojana: Granting property rights to rural landowners.
Self-Help Groups: Strengthening the economic standing of women-led SHGs, contributing to the goal of creating 3 crore ‘Lakhpati Didis,’ with 1.25 crore women already achieving this milestone.
Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana: Enhancing connectivity for small farmers and businesses.
Call to Action for Stakeholders
The Prime Minister urged experts and stakeholders to contribute ideas to enhance the effectiveness of government schemes. He expressed confidence in their collaboration to ensure the swift and transparent implementation of budget initiatives. Concluding his address, he stressed the importance of collective efforts in empowering villages and enriching rural families, reinforcing his vision for a prosperous and self-reliant India.
The webinar served as a platform for discussions on policy implementation and innovative solutions to boost the agricultural sector and rural economy, aligning with the overarching goal of Viksit Bharat.
