'Need Agriculture Reforms For Farmers Benefits': PM Defending New Agri Laws

Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated his position on the need for new farm laws and agricultural reforms on Monday. He believes it is past time for farmers to receive a better price for their produce.

PM Modi stated that more Farmers Produce Organizations will be established in the future across the country to help small and marginal farmers with technology, input finance, and market access. PM Modi said during a webinar on the budget's 2021 implementation in the agriculture sector, ‘We need to extend our country's agriculture sector into the global market for processed food.  We need to increase the number of agro-industry clusters near villages so that people in villages can work in agriculture.’

Despite the ongoing farmers' protests at various border points in Delhi, PM Modi's remarks indicated that the central government is still in favour of enacting new farm laws. He also stressed the importance of a food processing revolution, saying that farmers should not be limited to growing wheat and rice. He also advocated for organic foods.

‘Today, we must put a premium on processing in every aspect of agriculture, including food, vegetables, fruits, fisheries, and everything else. Farmers should be able to access modern storage facilities close to their homes. We must now provide farmers with options other than growing wheat and rice. We must now provide farmers with options other than growing wheat and rice,’ said Prime Minister Modi.

The PM also emphasised the importance of increasing private sector participation in agricultural R&D.

On Monday, India received its first green chilli and mushroom processing plant. Officials said the unit has been registered under the Cooperative Societies Act in Varanasi and will be established as a Farmers Producer Organization (FPO) in Tikri village in Uttar Pradesh.