On March 6, 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged Indian farmers to focus on making agricultural products export-oriented and globally competitive. Addressing a post-Budget webinar on ‘Agriculture and Rural Transformation,’ Modi highlighted the need to leverage India’s diverse climatic conditions to scale up the harvest of high-value crops.
Modi stressed the importance of promoting quality, branding, and standards in Indian agriculture. He called for collaboration among agricultural experts, industry leaders, and farmers to achieve these goals. The Prime Minister noted the opening of global markets and changing demands, emphasizing the potential of India’s rich agro-climatic zones.
The 2026-27 Budget focuses on high-value agriculture, including crops like cashew, cocoa, and sandalwood. Modi mentioned initiatives such as the National Mission on Edible Oil and Pulses and the National Mission on Natural Farming, which aim to strengthen the sector.
Highlighting the global shift towards holistic healthcare and organic food, Modi advocated for chemical-free and natural farming as a means to access international markets. He described agriculture as a strategic pillar of India’s long-term development, citing the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, which has distributed over ₹4 lakh crore to nearly 10 crore farmers.
Modi concluded by noting the strong push for agriculture and rural transformation in the current Union Budget, signaling a future-focused approach to making Indian agriculture a key player on the world stage.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, March 6th, 2026
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