Page 28 - NIS English 1-15 Feb, 2026

COVER STORY | Agri & Farmers’ Welfare

Farmers: Strong Part-
occur in the lives of the country’s farmers. Now, the central
government has provided farmers with another avenue by pro- ners in Nation Building
moting millets, or Shree Anna, because Prime Minister Narendra Farmers are strong partners in nation-
Modi’s personal attachment to Shree Anna has increased its building, and their efforts are significantly
fostering the Aatmanirbhar Bharat (Self-
importance worldwide, which will boost farmers’ incomes in the Reliant India) campaign. The central
future. Similarly, the expansion of natural farming is a demand government is steadily working with a
of 21st-century agriculture. Indian farmers are also being en- commitment to empower farmers. Keeping
couraged to practice natural farming. Millions of farmers have the soil healthy, conserving water, and using
joined the National Natural Farming Mission. In the past few resources judiciously are crucial for the
years, 10,000 Farmer-Producer Associations have been formed next generation. Campaigns like Mission
LiFE, 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam,' and Amrit
across the country. The entire agricultural sector in the country Sarovar promote this spirit. The central
has undergone a significant transformation in the last 11 years. government is continuously working to
A mission related to edible oils, palm oil, was also launched. This make agriculture more sustainable and
mission will not only make India self-sufficient in edible oils but environmentally friendly. In the coming
will also increase the income of its farmers. times, sustainable farming methods, water
management, 'per drop more crop,' natural
1.5 TIMES THE MSP: FAIR PRICE FOR PRODUCE farming, agritech, and value addition will
play a crucial role. Youth are moving
Under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, three important steps forward with new ideas in all these areas.
have been taken: increasing production, reducing costs, and At the Pongal celebrations held in New
ensuring fair prices for produce. The government’s sole objec- Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said
tive and formula is the welfare of farmers. In 2019, the central that the youth of Tamil Nadu are doing

government decided to fix the Minimum Support Price (MSP) excellent work in natural farming. PM Modi
urged the young people of Tamil Nadu
by adding a 50% profit margin to the cost of production, and involved in agriculture to further expand
committed to purchasing 100% of the tur (pigeon pea), masoor this campaign to bring about a revolution
(lentil), and urad (black gram) crops from farmers. Previously, in sustainable farming. Our goal should be
it was argued that directly setting a 50% increase in the cost of that our plates are full, our pockets are full,
production could affect the market. Adhering completely to the and our earth is also safe.

26 NEW INDIA SAMACHAR || February 1-15, 2026