New Delhi – Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a comprehensive PM Modi farmers first speech at the M.S. Swaminathan Centenary International Conference at ICAR PUSA, New Delhi. The address highlighted the government’s unwavering commitment to farmer welfare while honoring the legacy of Professor M.S. Swaminathan, the architect of India’s Green Revolution.
The PM Modi farmers first speech emphasized that Professor Swaminathan was a visionary whose contributions transcend any single era, describing him as a great scientist who transformed science into a medium of public service. Modi highlighted how Swaminathan dedicated his life to ensuring food security for the nation, awakening a consciousness that will continue guiding India’s policies for centuries.
Personal Memories and Professional Inspiration
During the PM Modi farmers first speech, the Prime Minister shared his decades-long association with Dr. Swaminathan, recalling the severe agricultural challenges Gujarat faced due to droughts and cyclones during his tenure as Chief Minister. The Soil Health Card initiative benefited significantly from Professor Swaminathan’s open-hearted suggestions and guidance.
Modi mentioned visiting Professor Swaminathan’s Research Foundation Centre in Tamil Nadu nearly twenty years ago, and releasing his book ‘The Quest for a World Without Hunger’ in 2017. The PM Modi farmers first speech highlighted how every interaction with Professor Swaminathan was a learning experience, particularly his philosophy that “Science is not just about discovery, but delivery.”
The Prime Minister expressed privilege that Professor Swaminathan received the Bharat Ratna during his government’s tenure, describing him as a true gem of Mother India who consistently proved his scientific philosophy through transformative work.
Beyond Green Revolution to Evergreen Vision
The PM Modi farmers first speech emphasized that Dr. Swaminathan’s identity extended far beyond the Green Revolution. While working to boost grain production, he remained equally concerned about environmental protection and Mother Earth’s wellbeing. To balance these objectives, Swaminathan introduced the revolutionary concept of the Evergreen Revolution.
Professor Swaminathan proposed innovative ideas including Bio-Villages to empower rural communities, Community Seed Banks, and Opportunity Crops. The PM Modi farmers first speech highlighted how Swaminathan consistently raised awareness about the risks of increasing chemical use and monoculture farming practices.
The visionary scientist believed solutions to climate change and nutritional challenges lay in forgotten crops, working extensively on drought tolerance and salt tolerance in agriculture while focusing on millets or Shri Anna when they were largely overlooked.
Revolutionary Concept of Bio-Happiness
The PM Modi farmers first speech introduced the groundbreaking concept of bio-happiness, explaining how Dr. Swaminathan went beyond biodiversity discussions to envision transformative change in local communities’ lives. Through local resources utilization, new livelihood opportunities could be created for people across rural India.
Professor Swaminathan possessed a unique ability to translate ideas into ground-level action through his Research Foundation, consistently ensuring that benefits of new discoveries reached farmers. The PM Modi farmers first speech emphasized how small farmers, fisherfolk, and tribal communities greatly benefited from his dedicated efforts.
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International Recognition Through Food and Peace Award
The PM Modi farmers first speech celebrated the launch of the M.S. Swaminathan Award for Food and Peace, instituted to honor Professor Swaminathan’s legacy. This international award recognizes individuals from developing countries who make significant contributions to food security advancement.
Modi emphasized that the relationship between food and peace is both philosophical and deeply practical, quoting Upanishads to underline food’s sanctity. The PM Modi farmers first speech warned that food crises inevitably lead to life crises, and when millions of lives are endangered, global unrest becomes inevitable.
Record-Breaking Agricultural Achievements
The PM Modi farmers first speech highlighted India’s current agricultural heights, with the nation ranking first globally in milk, pulses, and jute production. India holds second position worldwide in rice, wheat, cotton, fruits, and vegetables production, while also being the world’s second-largest fish producer.
Last year, India achieved its highest-ever food grain production, setting records in oilseeds including soybean, mustard, and groundnut. The PM Modi farmers first speech declared that witnessing these heights, Dr. Swaminathan would surely feel proud wherever he may be.
Comprehensive Farmer Welfare Initiatives
The PM Modi farmers first speech affirmed that India will never compromise on farmers’, livestock rearers’, and fisherfolk’s interests. The government continuously works to increase farmers’ income, reduce agricultural expenses, and create new revenue sources through various transformative schemes.
Policies implemented include PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi for direct financial support, PM Fasal Bima Yojana for agricultural risk protection, and PM Krishi Sinchai Yojana addressing irrigation challenges. The creation of 10,000 Farmer Producer Organizations has strengthened small farmers’ collective power.
Future Vision for Nutritional Security
The PM Modi farmers first speech outlined the next frontier for agricultural scientists: ensuring nutritional security for all citizens. Drawing inspiration from Dr. Swaminathan, Modi emphasized that current scientists have opportunities to create history by shifting focus from food security to comprehensive nutritional security.
The address called for large-scale promotion of bio-fortified and nutrition-rich crops, reducing chemical usage in agriculture, and greater promotion of natural farming practices. The PM Modi farmers first speech stressed developing climate-resilient crop varieties focusing on drought-tolerant, heat-resistant, and flood-adaptive crops while integrating traditional knowledge with modern science for holistic agricultural development.
