Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami today emphasised that India’s journey towards becoming a developed nation, as envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will be complete only when the country’s farmers achieve full self-reliance.
Addressing a Farmers’ Conference in Pantnagar, organised as part of Uttarakhand’s Silver Jubilee celebrations, the Chief Minister highlighted the critical role of agriculture in the state’s and nation’s economic growth.
“Our farmers are the backbone of the nation,” he said. “It has been my privilege to be part of a political movement where farmers’ welfare has always remained a priority.”
Dhami said that under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, agriculture has undergone a transformative shift. He cited initiatives such as PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi, under which financial assistance is provided to over 11 crore farmers, and the significant increase in minimum support prices (MSP) for various crops as evidence of the Centre’s commitment to rural empowerment.
The Chief Minister noted that farmers today enjoy greater financial security through the crop insurance scheme, which shields them from losses caused by adverse weather or market fluctuations. He also underlined the importance of soil health testing, which allows for scientific farming practices and improved yields.
“Our government believes that the strength of rural India lies in the prosperity of its farmers,” Dhami stated. “We are working to increase agricultural productivity, promote agri-entrepreneurship, and connect farmers with markets in a modern, technology-driven way.”
Highlighting Uttarakhand’s progress, Dhami said the state government has allocated ₹200 crore for constructing poly houses, aiming to enhance productivity and boost incomes for small and marginal farmers. So far, 350 poly houses have been established with government assistance amounting to ₹115 crore.
He added that the state has raised the sugarcane procurement rate by ₹20 per quintal and launched new agricultural policies to diversify production. The Apple and Kiwi Development Policy and the State Millet Mission are part of a broader plan to promote sustainable farming and crop diversification in hill districts.
In an innovative step, the state has also begun integrating tea cultivation with tourism, which the Chief Minister said has opened new employment opportunities, particularly for women and youth in rural regions. “Tea gardens are not just a source of livelihood but a symbol of cultural and natural harmony,” he remarked.
Dhami reiterated his government’s focus on expanding access to modern technology, irrigation, and agricultural training. “Our farmers must not depend solely on traditional methods. We are ensuring that innovation reaches even the remotest farms of Uttarakhand,” he said.
Concluding his address, the Chief Minister paid tribute to the farmers who had supported the movement for a separate Uttarakhand, calling them “the true architects of the state’s identity.”
He said that as Uttarakhand celebrates 25 years of its formation, it is time to strengthen the bond between agriculture and progress. “A prosperous farmer is the foundation of a prosperous nation,” Dhami said. “When our villages prosper, India will stand tall as a developed nation.”
