“India will never compromise on interests of farmers”: PM Modi

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the M.S. Swaminathan Centenary International Conference, paying tribute to the late scientist for his contributions to India’s food security.
• The Prime Minister announced that the next major goal for Indian agricultural scientists is to ensure nutritional security for all, building on the legacy of food security.
• He affirmed that the government will never compromise on the interests of its farmers and listed several policies designed to increase their income and reduce expenses.

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 7th Aug: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated and addressed the M.S. Swaminathan Centenary International Conference, paying tribute to the late scientist as a visionary whose contributions transcended any single era. Speaking at the event, the Prime Minister credited Dr. Swaminathan with leading the movement that made India self-reliant in food production and praised his concept of the “Evergreen Revolution,” which balanced grain production with environmental concerns.

The Prime Minister stated that while the previous generation of scientists ensured food security for the nation, the next frontier for India’s agricultural scientists must be to ensure nutritional security for all. He called for the large-scale promotion of bio-fortified and nutrition-rich crops to improve public health and advocated for a shift towards natural farming and reduced chemical use.

In his address, Modi affirmed that his government would never compromise on the interests of its farmers, stating, “Our government has recognised farmers’ strength as the foundation of the nation’s progress.” He highlighted several schemes, including the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi and PM Fasal Bima Yojana, as examples of the government’s commitment to increasing farmer income and reducing agricultural risks.

The Prime Minister also announced the launch of the M. S. Swaminathan Award for Food and Peace, an international award to honor his legacy. The inaugural recipient is Professor Adenle of Nigeria, whom Modi described as a talented scientist whose work exemplifies the spirit of the honor.

Looking toward the future, the Prime Minister emphasized the need to integrate modern technology into agriculture. He urged scientists to develop more climate-resilient crop varieties and called for the use of satellite data, AI, and machine learning to create a real-time decision support system for farmers. Shri Modi’s address concluded with a tribute to Dr. Swaminathan’s legacy, which he said continues to guide the nation’s agricultural policy.