Against All Odds: India’s Agri Backbone Stands Tall in a Shaky World

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Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has reaffirmed the resilience of India’s agricultural sector, highlighting its performance despite global economic disruptions and supply chain shocks. Speaking at the 16th Agriculture Leadership Conclave in New Delhi, Goyal outlined key achievements and future priorities.

Policy Milestones

Over 25 crore Soil Health Cards distributed to promote balanced fertiliser use and improve crop yields.
Crop loans made more accessible via the Kisan Credit Card initiative, easing financial pressure on farmers.
PMKISAN Samman Nidhi scheme continues to provide direct income support to millions of farming families.

Market and Infrastructure Push

1,400 agricultural mandis integrated with the eNAM platform, enabling realtime price discovery and stronger market linkages.
Fertiliser subsidies maintained even during COVID19, ensuring uninterrupted supply and affordability.

Export and Global Reach

Combined exports from agriculture, animal husbandry, and fisheries reached Rs 4 lakh crore.
FTAs with Australia, UAE, EFTA nations, and the UK have opened new markets for Indian produce.

Future Outlook

Focus on seed production, organic farming, and modern irrigation like drip systems.
Emphasis on digital agriculture powered by AI, geospatial tech, and weather forecasting.
Strengthening FPOs and cooperatives through techenabled tools and infrastructure investment.

Goyal credited Indian farmers for driving the “Local Goes Global” vision and reiterated agriculture’s central role in building a Viksit Bharat.

Sources: The Statesman, The Hindu Business Line, Indian Express, The Hans India, Bureaucrats India, MSN News, KBS World, Reuters Asia