Page 19 - NIS English 1-15 Feb, 2026

Agri & Farmers’ Welfare | COVER STORY
Right Market for Produce
and Fair Prices for Farmers
PM Krishi Udaan Scheme
n 'King Chillies, Burmese
Grapes, and Assamese
Lemons' from Guwahati,
'Jackfruit' from Tripura,
and 'Lychees' from many
districts of Bihar are now
easily reaching other parts
of the country and abroad,
thanks to the Krishi
Udaan scheme, which was
launched in 2021.
n Cold storage facilities are available at 35 airports. 58
airports are listed under the scheme. The scheme
primarily focuses on 25 airports in the North
Eastern, hilly, and tribal regions.
Agricultural Exports
n The government is working towards increasing
the export of agricultural and allied products and
enhancing its share in global trade.
n A record export of US$ 51.9 billion was achieved for
agricultural and allied products in the year 2024-25.
The role of women in
transforming Indian agriculture
and rural prosperity is increasing.
Whether it is crop cultivation,
animal husbandry, or natural
farming, women are emerging as
key leaders in the rural economy.
Narendra Modi, Prime Minister
e-NAM
n The Electronic National Agriculture Market
(e-NAM) was launched to provide better prices to
farmers for their produce. Agricultural produce
worth more than ₹4.40 lakh crore has been traded
through e-NAM.
n More than 1.79 crore farmers, 3.90 lakh traders
and commission agents, and 4,642 Farmer
Producer Organizations are registered on this
platform. 1,522 mandis (markets) across 27 states
are connected to it as of December 31, 2025.
Increase in MSP
n The government has increased the Minimum Support
Price (MSP) for all mandated Kharif, Rabi, and
other commercial crops included in the order, with
a minimum profit of 50 percent over the all-India
weighted average cost of production since 2018-19.
Government procurement of food grains increased
from 761.40 lakh metric tons to 1,175 lakh metric tons
during the same period of the last decade.
Farmers’ payments under
MSP have increased by
almost three times
Figures in lakh crore
1. 06 3. 33 rupees
2013-14 July 2024-June 2025
to agriculture worked in silos, and as a result, India’s
agricultural system was not progressing. For rapid
development in 21st-century India, it was necessary
to improve its agricultural system. Therefore, a
phased approach to reforms in the agricultural sector
began in 2014 under the leadership of Prime Minister
Narendra Modi. Empowering farmers and increasing
their income became the top priority. Over the past
11 years, a foundation of historic reforms has been
laid upon which the edifice of a new India is beginning
to rise during the Amrit Kaal (the period leading up
February 1-15, 2026 || NEW INDIA SAMACHAR 17