Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the immense strength of Jammu and Kashmir’s youth during a recent interaction with farmers in New Delhi. He highlighted that the introduction of train services from the Valley has significantly enhanced the movement of goods across regions.
The Prime Minister’s remarks came as he launched the PM Dhan Dhaanya Krishi Yojana, a ₹24,000 crore scheme aimed at improving agricultural productivity and promoting sustainable farming practices in 100 selected districts.
Fayaz Ahmad Ganaie, a farmer from Ganderbal district, shared his success story during this interaction. He expressed gratitude for the benefits derived from the Modi government’s initiatives, mentioning, “I’ve come from Kashmir. I saw your progressive schemes for farmers and availed their benefits. Today, I have 14 employees and earn around ₹15 lakh in profits annually.”
Responding to Ganaie’s testimony, PM Modi affirmed, “The youth of Jammu and Kashmir have immense strength. Now with the train services, goods have been moving fast from the Kashmir valley.
Recently initiated train services directly link New Delhi to Kashmir, facilitating the transport of vehicles, apples, and other fruits to and from Srinagar, marking a significant advancement for trade in the region.
During the event, PM Modi encouraged farmers to gradually embrace natural farming methods. He suggested they conduct small-scale experiments to build confidence and obtain positive results. Several farmers shared their experiences adopting innovative practices post prior discussions with the Prime Minister.
One woman farmer praised the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme, referring to the annual ₹6,000 assistance as “a blessing” that enabled her timely purchase of seeds and preparation of fields. Innovations, such as aeroponically grown “Jain potato” and processed garlic products, also featured prominently in discussions.
Highlighting India’s remarkable agricultural achievements, Modi stated that over the past 11 years:
- Agricultural exports have nearly doubled.
- Foodgrain output has increased by 90 million metric tonnes.
- Fruit and vegetable production has seen a rise of 64 million metric tonnes.
- India has secured the top position in milk production and is now the second-largest fish producer globally.
- Honey production has also doubled since 2014.
The Prime Minister mentioned that over 10,000 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) have been established, focusing on strengthening cooperation among farmers and enhancing their access to markets.
According to Modi, the PM Dhan Dhaanya Krishi Yojana draws inspiration from the successful Aspirational Districts Model, emphasizing the government’s aim to empower every farmer through innovation, technology, and inclusive growth.
