Modi says 50 crore lifted out of poverty:Farm growth exceeds 4%, first time since Independence

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that making agriculture smarter and empowering farmers were essential to the country’s progress. He cited a World Bank study on poverty, which found that 50 crore people in India had moved out of poverty. Modi said rural poverty had declined rapidly over the years. He also noted that India’s agricultural growth rate had exceeded 4% over the past decade, marking the first time since Independence that the sector had recorded such growth. During this period, a significant number of people in rural areas had also overcome poverty. The Prime Minister was speaking at the India Today Group’s two-day India Agriculture Conference 2026, held at Bharat Mandapam in Delhi. The event was attended by more than 2,000 farmers, policymakers, industry representatives and global experts. PM Modi says India is the world’s largest milk producer Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India exports agricultural products worth ₹4 lakh crore annually and is the world’s largest producer of milk. He added that the country ranks first in the production of pulses, jute and rice, and second in wheat and millets. “These figures reflect the immense potential of Indian farmers,” he said. ‘Previous governments did not pay enough attention to farmers’ Modi said governments that had been in power for decades were content with ensuring that farmers filled the country’s food reserves. “Simply filling warehouses with food grains is not enough. Markets have changed over time, as have the climate and technology. Earlier governments failed to take these changes into account,” he said. ‘50 crore people have defeated poverty’ The Prime Minister cited a World Bank study which found that 50 crore people in India had moved out of poverty. He said rural poverty had declined rapidly and pointed out that India’s agricultural growth rate had remained above 4% over the past decade. According to Modi, this was the first time since Independence that the country’s agricultural sector had recorded such sustained growth. He added that a large number of people in rural areas had overcome poverty during this period. ‘Making agriculture smarter is essential’ Modi said he had spoken about the seven pillars of strength in his address from the Red Fort, one of which was agriculture. “Without making agriculture smarter and empowering farmers, the country cannot progress. This is how we must understand the link between agriculture and national development,” he said. ‘Farming is part of our culture and tradition’ Referring to the festivals of Diwali and Chhath, Modi said several Indian celebrations, including Bihu, Onam and Baisakhi, were closely linked to agriculture. “This shows that farming is deeply rooted in our culture and traditions. It is also the foundation of our social life,” he said. ​