From drones to AI, PM calls for tech-led transformation of agriculture. Top quotes

Download AppNewsIndiaFrom drones to AI, PM calls for tech-led transformation of agriculture. Top quotes Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India's goal of becoming a developed nation hinges on empowering farmers and modernising agriculture through technology, crop diversification, value addition and better market access.PM Modi addressing India Today Group’s Kisan Tak Bharat Agriculture Conference . New Delhi,Nov 12, 2026 22:01 ISTPrime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking at the India Today Group’s Kisan Tak Bharat Agriculture Conference, called for a technology-driven transformation of Indian agriculture, saying the vision of a developed India cannot be realised without empowering farmers. He highlighted the role of crop diversification, solar energy, drones and artificial intelligence in boosting farm incomes, while urging farmers to reduce chemical use and adopt natural farming. "Building a developed India is simply impossible without developing agriculture, making farming smarter and empowering farmers. That is why initiatives focused on farmers and agriculture become so important." "A recent World Bank study on poverty, which is being discussed across the world, says that 50 crore poor people in India have defeated poverty in just 12-13 years. It also points out that poverty has declined rapidly in villages. This means a large number of small farmers and agricultural labourers have overcome poverty." "During the past decade, India's agricultural growth rate has remained above 4 per cent. This is the first decade since Independence in which such an average growth rate has been achieved. During this very period, a large number of poor people in villages have also defeated poverty." "In the past decade, the country has taken steps to match the pace of these changes and the results are before us. Today, India exports agricultural products worth more than Rs 4 lakh crore every year. This money is increasing the income of our farmers." '"Another revolution is the solar power revolution. This has turned the country's annadatas, or food providers, into urjadatas, or energy providers. Under the PM-Kusum scheme, around 12,000 solar pumps have been provided so far. This is reducing farmers' electricity bills, while farmers are also earning money by installing solar plants on their fields and generating electricity." "People with an outdated mindset often believe that sophisticated technology cannot be used in our villages. The Namo Drone Didis have proved them wrong. These women are using drones to spray fertilisers and pesticides and the scope of their use is now being expanded. "India is expanding the role of engineering in agriculture. Our agricultural scientists, engineers and young people are developing equipment and machines that reduce farming costs. Some of these machines are making sowing and harvesting easier." "When the crisis of war in West Asia was intensifying, there was a situation in which diesel prices needed to be increased by at least Rs 50 per litre. But the government decided that the entire burden would not be passed on to citizens and farmers. We increased diesel prices by only Rs 7 per litre, even though an increase of Rs 50 was required. The government absorbed the remaining Rs 43 per litre." "Farmers are connected to two things: annadata and Mother Earth. I want to ask my farmer brothers and sisters: Are we protecting our Mother Earth? We must ask ourselves this question with our hands on our hearts. The way we are destroying Mother Earth through the use of chemicals, we are killing our own mother before our eyes. We are her children." - Ends