Agricultural Reforms Will Increase Farmers' Income, says PM Modi at FICCI virtual meet

Prime Minister Narendra Modi while addressing the 93rd Annual General Meeting of FICCI (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry) today said that the new farm laws legislated by the central government a couple of months ago will definitely help to bring down barriers between agricultural & associated sectors, creating the new markets opportunity for the farmers who will gain from technological advances and investments. 

The Prime Minister also said that when one sector grows, its effect is seen in several other sectors as well. "But imagine what would happen when unnecessary walls are erected between the industries. Then no industry will grow as fast as it should," PM Modi said. 

PM Modi pointed specifically towards the controversial farm laws brought in by the central government in September 2020. 

"Agriculture and its related sectors like agricultural infrastructure, food processing, storage; cold chains had seen walls between them. Now, these walls are being removed. These reforms will give farmers new markets, advantages of technology, and help bring investments. It’s my country's farmers who will benefit the foremost from all this," Modi said. 

He also continued on the theme of barriers in various industries saying that what has required in India's economy aren’t walls but more and more bridges so that they assist each other.

Thousands of farmers across the nation, especially those from Punjab & Haryana, are protesting for the past few weeks against three central government agricultural laws passed in September, gathering support from many political parties. Multiple rounds of talks with the central government have failed to break the impasse, with the farmers seeking the complete repeal of the three farm laws. 

Speaking further at the FICCI event, the PM Modi sought the industry's investment in India's villages and small towns because that’s where growth will come from within the 21st century. He said that, unfortunately, the private sector had not focused on agriculture as much as it ought to have till now. 

"Now farmers have the choice of selling their produce in mandis also on the outside parties. These efforts are aimed towards increasing farmers' incomes," Modi said.