At a program organized at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) in Coimbatore, the Hon’ble Vice President addressed students and faculty, stating that the path to a developed India runs through its fields, and strengthening these fields is possible only through prestigious institutions like TNAU. He praised the university for its historic contribution to ensuring the country's food security.
Highlighting the importance of the agriculture sector, the Vice President remarked that the heart of India beats in its villages, and agriculture is the lifeline of employment and the economy. He cautioned that while 46% of the population is dependent on agriculture, the sector contributes only 16% to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Hence, there is an urgent need to elevate the agricultural sector. He emphasized that it is time to move beyond food security and focus on ensuring farmers' prosperity.
Focus on Strengthening Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs)
The Vice President urged students and teachers to bridge the gap between the laboratory and the land, ensuring that innovations reach the fields. He stressed the need to empower the 730+ Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) across the country and strengthen coordination with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
Message to Students and Faculty on Agricultural Advancement
During his address, the Vice President stated that farmers must go beyond the role of mere producers and actively participate in value addition and marketing. He emphasized that universities should develop formal and informal courses that attract farmers and their children toward entrepreneurship in agriculture.
He highlighted that when there is overproduction of perishable commodities like tomatoes, farmers suffer losses. Agricultural institutions must, therefore, work on converting such produce into sustainable and high-quality products. This would enhance farmers' incomes, create employment opportunities, and boost competitiveness in domestic and global markets.
Emphasis on Promoting Agri-Startups and Raising Farmer Awareness
The Vice President pointed out that India currently has around 6,000 agri-startups, which is insufficient considering the country's 1.4 billion population and 100 million farmers. He praised initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi and the ₹1 lakh crore budget provision under the Farmer Producer Organization (FPO) Scheme. He stressed the importance of creating awareness among farmers about such initiatives.
He also suggested that if fertilizer subsidies were directly transferred to farmers, each farmer could receive approximately ₹35,000 annually. He called for research into this area to explore its feasibility and benefits. The Vice President stated that when farmers establish small industries based on their produce, it would not only increase their incomes but also drive broader economic development in rural areas. He called on the corporate sector to engage sincerely with farmers and invest more in agricultural research and development. Concluding his address, the Vice President said that if India aspires to become a $30 trillion economy by 2047, agriculture must play a pivotal role, and farmers' incomes must be increased eightfold.
