PM Narendra Modi chaired the third session of the Post-Budget Webinar on the theme “Agriculture and Rural Transformation,” aimed at discussing the effective implementation of schemes announced in the Union Budget 2026–27. The webinar brought together policymakers, experts, and stakeholders to share ideas and suggestions to ensure that the government’s initiatives reach farmers and rural communities effectively.
Addressing the participants during the concluding session, Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that such webinars reflect the Prime Minister’s vision of encouraging wider public participation in policymaking and implementation. He noted that the initiative has enabled lakhs of ordinary citizens to engage with the government on issues related to agriculture, rural development, and the execution of government programmes.
Chouhan described the discussions held during the webinar as comprehensive and meaningful. From the perspective of agricultural development, he emphasised the need to increase the production of crops such as coconut, cashew, and other similar crops. He said that expanding the area under cultivation while simultaneously improving productivity will be key to achieving this objective.
New Push for Crop Diversification in India
Highlighting the factors required to enhance productivity, the Union Agriculture Minister stressed the importance of ensuring the availability of clean and disease-free planting material. He also underlined the need to reduce the cost of cultivation so that farmers can achieve better returns from their produce.
According to Chouhan, ensuring food security, increasing farmers’ income, and promoting agricultural exports remain among the government’s top priorities. In this regard, he said that greater emphasis must be placed on improving the quality of food products and promoting value addition to make Indian agricultural produce more competitive in global markets. He also called for crop diversification and the adoption of intercropping practices to strengthen farm productivity and sustainability.
Integrated Farming Key for Farmer Prosperity
The minister further noted that the majority of farmers in India own very small landholdings, which often limits their earning potential. To address this challenge, he advocated the promotion of integrated farming systems that combine crop cultivation with allied activities such as animal husbandry and tree-based agriculture. Such an approach, he said, can help farmers diversify their income sources and improve their overall economic stability.
Women Entrepreneurs to Get ‘SHE MART’ in Every District
Chouhan also emphasised the importance of improving market access for farmers. He highlighted the government’s initiative to establish “SHE MART” platforms to support women entrepreneurs and self-help groups in selling their products. He said that the government is working towards setting up at least one “SHE MART” in every district to strengthen market linkages for rural women.
Referring to women’s economic empowerment, the minister noted that the government’s target of creating three crore “Lakhpati Didis” has already been achieved 15 months ahead of schedule. He added that the Prime Minister has now set a new target of creating three crore more women entrepreneurs through self-help groups and related initiatives.
₹4 Lakh Crore Support Reaches Farmers
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi formally inaugurated the webinar and highlighted the importance of such discussions after the presentation of the Union Budget. He said the process helps translate budget provisions into concrete actions through feedback and suggestions from stakeholders and the public.
The Prime Minister reiterated that agriculture remains the backbone of the Indian economy and a key pillar of the country’s long-term development. He highlighted several initiatives, including Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi and Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, which have provided significant support to farmers across the country.
Presenting figures that demonstrate the success of these schemes, Modi said that more than 10 crore farmers have received over ₹4 lakh crore under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi. Similarly, insurance claims worth nearly ₹2 lakh crore have been settled under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana. He also noted that institutional credit coverage in the agriculture sector has now crossed 75 percent, reflecting the expansion of formal financial support for farmers.
Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying S. P. Singh Baghel also addressed the concluding session and spoke about the achievements of his department and future plans to strengthen the fisheries and livestock sectors.
Senior officials from the Departments of Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Husbandry, and the Ministry of Rural Development also made presentations outlining the roadmap for the rapid implementation of measures announced in the Union Budget.
The government expressed confidence that the ideas and suggestions emerging from the webinar will help accelerate the implementation of key initiatives in agriculture and rural development, contributing to the broader national vision of building a “Viksit Bharat,” or a developed India.
