The Aryavarth Express
Agency (Bengaluru): Reaffirming its commitment to empowering India’s farmers and doubling their income, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has unveiled a comprehensive roadmap under its “Modi ki Guarantee for Kisan Samman” as part of its election manifesto.
The party pledges to continue providing income support to farmers through the PM KISAN scheme, which currently benefits over 11 crore farmers with an annual transfer of ₹6,000. This direct cash transfer aims to support farmers in meeting their input costs and enhancing their financial stability.
Recognizing the importance of diversification in enhancing farmers’ income, the BJP plans to further incentivize the adoption of diverse crops through appropriate price support strategies. The party also aims to make India self-reliant in the production of pulses and edible oils by supporting farmers with the necessary inputs and infrastructure.
To boost the production of nutritious vegetables and ensure their year-round availability, the manifesto proposes establishing new clusters for vegetable production, equipped with storage and logistics facilities. The party also aims to position India as a global hub for millets, building on the momentum of the International Year of Millets, by promoting their cultivation, research, and international marketing.
Enhancing agricultural infrastructure remains a key focus area, with the BJP promising to launch a Krishi Infrastructure Mission for the integrated development of storage facilities, irrigation networks, grading and sorting units, cold storage, and food processing. The party also pledges to create a network of village-level grain storage facilities equipped with grading, sorting, processing, and packing amenities.
Irrigation coverage is set to expand further, with the manifesto proposing technology-enabled initiatives for efficient water management. The BJP also plans to launch an indigenous agriculture satellite for precision farming applications, crop forecasting, and weather monitoring.
Allied sectors like dairy, fisheries, and animal husbandry receive special attention, with promises to expand the network of dairy cooperatives, protect indigenous cattle breeds, eliminate major veterinary diseases, and promote the cooperative movement through a new National Cooperative Policy.
Other key initiatives include increasing access to high-yielding, climate-resilient seeds, expanding the coverage of nano urea, doubling the number of custom hiring centers for agricultural machinery, upgrading Krishi Vigyan Kendras into one-stop skill development centers, and expanding the network of PM Kisan Samriddhi Kendras for easy access to agri-inputs and services.