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Modi’s Agricultural Record Shows Gains, But Key Challenges Remain
The article looks at Narendra Modi’s record on farming in Gujarat and across India.
It says farming grew quickly in Gujarat during his time as chief minister.
It credits irrigation, electricity, roads and farm advice for helping farmers there.
The author says farming has also grown in India since Modi became prime minister, helping the country maintain food supplies.
But India grows a lot of rice and wheat and not enough pulses and oilseeds, according to the article.
The author suggests giving farmers stronger incentives to grow pulses and oilseeds.
The article also proposes putting solar panels above crops so farmland can produce both food and electricity.
The author says a pilot project in Rajasthan saw farmer income rise eight to ten times.
These are proposals and claims made by the article’s author, not a report of newly announced government decisions.
The author credits Narendra Modi’s Gujarat tenure with more than 9% annual agricultural growth, citing irrigation, power and market-linking measures.
The article says agriculture grew by an average of 4% annually in India from 2014-15 to 2025-26, supporting food security.
It reports India exported about $53 billion in agricultural products and imported about $40 billion in 2025-26.
The author argues that production incentives favor rice and wheat over pulses and oilseeds, despite concerns about water use and imports.
The article proposes incentives to shift crops and expanded agri-photovoltaics as ways to raise farm incomes.
- Who
- Narendra Modi and Indian farmers; the article’s author is an agricultural economist.
- What
- An assessment of agricultural achievements and challenges, with proposals to encourage pulses and oilseeds and expand agri-photovoltaics.
- Where
- Gujarat and India, including a cited agri-photovoltaics pilot in Rajasthan.
- When
- The article reviews Modi’s public service through 2025-26 and discusses future challenges.
- Why
- The author argues that changes are needed to make agricultural growth more sustainable and raise farmers’ incomes.
Key facts
- Modi’s Gujarat tenure
- Chief minister from 2001-02 to 2013-14, according to the article.
- Gujarat agricultural growth
- More than 9% per year during the period described.
- India agricultural GDP growth
- Average annual growth of 4% from 2014-15 to 2025-26, as reported by the author.
- Agricultural trade
- About $53 billion in exports and $40 billion in imports in 2025-26.
- Irrigation
- The article says almost 60% of India’s gross cropped area is irrigated.
- Proposed crop-shift incentive
- The author suggests about Rs 35,000 per hectare for pulse or oilseed growers.
- Solar farming pilot
- The article says an ICRIER pilot in Rajasthan increased farmer income by eight to ten times.
Sources
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