Farmers express gratitude towards PM Modi, endorsing the government's tough stance on agricultural trade to shield their concerns
Headline: Indian Government Strengthens Agricultural Self-Reliance at Major Farmer Meeting
Union Minister of State Bhagirath Choudhary, Agriculture Secretary Devesh Chaturvedi, ICAR DG Dr. M.L. Jat, and representatives from various states gathered on August 12, 2025, at Pusa Campus, New Delhi, for a significant meeting to discuss the Indian government's recent measures aimed at bolstering self-reliance (aatmanirbharata) in agriculture.
Over the past year, the Indian government has introduced multiple initiatives to fortify farmers' interests and promote focused policies, investments, and programs. One such initiative is the Mission for Aatmanirbharata in Pulses & Seeds, which aims to increase domestic pulse production by 20% through high-yielding, climate-resilient seeds, enhanced R&D, faster seed development and distribution, expanded storage and processing infrastructure, farmer training, micro-irrigation investments, input subsidies, and price stabilization. The goal is to reduce import dependency and boost farm incomes in the pulse sector.
Another significant policy is the New National Agricultural Policy 2025, which shifts the focus from subsistence farming to a farmer-centric, climate-resilient, and export-oriented agriculture model. The policy emphasizes enhancing crop productivity, reducing cultivation costs, ensuring remunerative prices, promoting diversification, developing post-harvest infrastructure, and supporting climate adaptation. The government has increased the agriculture budget by 15% to ₹1.75 lakh crore for 2025–26, with the aim of nearly doubling agricultural exports by 2030 and raising average farm incomes.
The government has also implemented Agricultural Protection and Trade Measures to protect farmers from volatile international prices. High import tariffs (up to 700%) have been maintained, while the Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana targets low-productivity districts with crop diversification and climate-resilient seeds. The government is investing $7 billion in a food corridor with the Middle East and promoting agri-tech innovations like precision agriculture, drones, digital platforms (e.g., e-NAM), and solar irrigation to improve productivity and sustainability.
In addition, India is working towards Self-Reliance in Fertilizers by reducing import dependence on critical fertilizers like urea and phosphatic-potassic fertilizers. The government is boosting domestic fertilizer production and promoting rational and judicious nutrient use to preserve soil health. Heavy subsidies are maintained to ensure affordable fertilizer prices, while encouraging innovation to achieve self-sufficiency.
The government has also launched the PM-PRANAM Scheme to reduce chemical fertilizer use and encourage balanced nutrients through organic manures and biofertilizers. Incentives are provided to states for lowering chemical fertilizer consumption, and increased accessibility and research on biofertilizers aim to improve soil health and sustainability.
The government further plans to provide drones to 15,000 women from Self-Help Groups over 2023–26 to promote modern agricultural techniques, indicating a push for digital and technological empowerment at the grassroots.
The meeting reflected strong solidarity among farmers and government leaders in protecting India's agricultural sector. Kuldeep Singh Bajidpur of Punjab lauded ongoing welfare initiatives, while Virendra Lohan of Chhattisgarh Youth Progressive Farmers' Association welcomed the government's move to keep American companies out of India's agriculture and dairy sectors. Several leaders, including Dharmendra Malik and Kirpa Singh Natthuwala from Punjab, expressed strong support for the government's stance.
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan described farmers as the "provider and giver of life," and praised Prime Minister's 'Nation First' approach, noting the historic cancellation of the Indus Waters Treaty after the Pahalgam terror attack. Dharmendra Choudhary, National President of Indian Farmer Chaudhary Charan Singh Organisation, called the government's recent measures historic, emphasizing that they strengthen self-reliance in agriculture and rural India.
Chouhan also announced that the government will introduce strict laws to curb the production of fake fertilizers and pesticides. The initiatives collectively emphasize boosting domestic production, farmer income stability, climate resilience, input rationalization, and technological adoption, thereby advancing India’s agricultural self-reliance and safeguarding farmer interests amid volatile global markets and climate challenges.
- The New National Agricultural Policy 2025, which the government discussed during the meeting, focuses on shifting agriculture from a subsistence model to a farmer-centric, climate-resilient, and export-oriented strategy.
- In order to strengthen the agricultural sector and achieve self-reliance, the government has implemented various policies and initiatives, such as the Mission for Aatmanirbharata in Pulses & Seeds and the PM-PRANAM Scheme, which aim to boost domestic production and improve soil health and sustainability.
