From calling for direct benefit transfers to farmers, to encouraging agro-based industries to support rural transformation, to asserting India’s new global stature, Dhankhar articulated a sweeping agenda for national renewal.
In a powerful address at the inauguration of the ‘Agri-Industry Conclave’ in Narsinghpur, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar called for a paradigm shift in the way agricultural subsidies are delivered to farmers, urging that all financial aid — including fertilizer subsidies — be deposited directly into their bank accounts. The Vice President’s address wove together economic, security, and agricultural themes, making a strong case for an integrated approach to national development.
“There will be real uplift in farmers’ income when every form of assistance reaches them directly,” Dhankhar declared to a packed gathering of farmers, agribusiness leaders, and state officials. “In countries like the United States, farm families earn more than average households. This is largely due to direct government support. In India, we still provide major subsidies indirectly — especially on fertilizers. If all subsidies are given directly, each farmer could receive at least ₹35,000 annually.”
He called on the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) to conduct a comprehensive study and publish a roadmap on direct subsidy delivery to ensure that the benefits of government schemes reach farmers in full. “We are already doing this with PM-KISAN. Let’s extend it to all subsidies,” he said, referring to the flagship scheme under which ₹6,000 is transferred annually to eligible farmers.
Agriculture’s Economic and Industrial Role
The Vice President emphasised that agriculture should not be viewed in isolation. “It is not just an economic sector,” he said. “It has deep ties with industry. Half of our population depends on agriculture, and integrating it with industrial growth is essential.”
Praising Chief Minister Mohan Yadav’s initiatives in livestock, dairy, and horticulture, Dhankhar said the future of Indian agriculture lies not just in traditional farming, but in turning farmers into entrepreneurs — or “agripreneurs.”
“We must create millions of agripreneurs who will lead in value addition, marketing, and diversification,” he said. “Whether it’s dairy, fruits, vegetables, or even ice cream and sweets like rasgullas — the farmer must be at the center of this transformation.”
He urged agro-based industries, NGOs, MPs, and MLAs to adopt villages and help build agri-entrepreneurial ecosystems. “Your prosperity depends on the farmer’s prosperity,” he said. “Industries that run on agricultural inputs must support the communities that sustain them.”
In a broader national context, Vice President Dhankhar celebrated India’s rapid economic growth over the past decade, positioning it as a leading global player.
“Today, India has become the fourth-largest economy in the world,” he said. “We have overtaken France, the UK, and Japan. And we’re closing in on Germany. Soon, we will be the third-largest economy.”
He credited this progress to robust infrastructure expansion, consistent reforms, and decisive leadership. “Ten years ago, we were struggling. Today, we are a force to reckon with globally. This is the result of hard work and clear resolve.”
National Pride and the Road to 2047
The Vice President closed his speech with a call to unite agriculture, industry, and national pride to achieve the goal of making India a developed nation by 2047 — the centenary of independence.
“India’s farmers are patriotic. They persevere despite droughts, floods, and delayed rains. With support and innovation, they will not only feed the nation but fuel its economic rise,” he said.
He predicted a future where Indian villages become hubs of innovation and entrepreneurship. “Let us aim to lead the world in dairy, horticulture, and food processing. The day is not far when our farmers will go beyond producing milk to producing premium dairy products for the world.”
The Vice President’s speech in Narsinghpur was more than just a ceremonial address – it was a vision statement. From calling for direct benefit transfers to farmers, to encouraging agro-based industries to support rural transformation, to asserting India’s new global stature, Dhankhar articulated a sweeping agenda for national renewal.
In the backdrop of a rapidly changing India — economically vibrant, militarily assertive, and agriculturally resilient — his words resonated with both urgency and hope.
As the conclave ended, a palpable energy lingered in the air — one where the future of India’s farmers is not only secure but empowered, where subsidies don’t leak, and where the nation rises together, shoulder to shoulder with those who till its soil.
