The Vice President emphasized the need to reimagine the role of Indian farmers as “agripreneurs” who are not merely producers but integral players in agricultural trade and enterprise.

In a wide-ranging interaction with scientists and farmers at the ICAR-Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute (ICAR-CCARI) in Goa, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar called for a paradigm shift in Indian agriculture, urging farmers to become active stakeholders in the entire agro-economy, from production to marketing and value addition.

Addressing an engaged gathering of agronomists, natural farming experts, and cultivators, the Vice President emphasized the need to reimagine the role of Indian farmers as “agripreneurs” who are not merely producers but integral players in agricultural trade and enterprise.

“Farming must not be limited to production alone,” Dhankhar stated. “To transform India into a developed nation, the journey must begin from the farmer’s field and the village. Farmers must play a decisive role in processing, packaging, and marketing their produce. Only then will we see a substantial rise in farmers’ income.”

Natural Farming in Focus

During the event, the Vice President lauded Padma Shri awardee Sanjay Anant Patil for his pioneering work in natural farming. Drawing attention to the distinction between natural and organic farming, he praised leaders like Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat for championing the cause.

“Natural farming is not just a practice, it is deeply rooted in our soil, our soul, and our traditions. Leaders like Devvrat ji embody this philosophy and have given it national visibility,” Dhankhar said.

He highlighted how the CCARI, established in 1989, the same year he entered politics, has grown into a dynamic and regionally significant research institution under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).

Empowering the Farmer Beyond the Field

Dhankhar urged farmers to see themselves as entrepreneurs with the potential to drive rural economies. He underscored the importance of participating in the input chain of agriculture and the output chain including storage, processing, and retail.

“Why should only industries benefit from agri-based businesses? Farmers must be co-owners of these opportunities. If a farmer produces milk, why should he not produce and market curd, butter, ghee, or ice cream too?” he questioned, calling for greater decentralization and local value addition in agri-business.

Citing examples of highly educated professionals from IITs and IIMs turning to agri-ventures, he asked, “If they can enter agriculture, why not the children of farmers themselves?”

He added, “These are not skills you need to learn anew. This is knowledge we inherit from birth. What’s needed is the right mindset and the backing of enabling policies.”

Technology and Policy: Allies of the Farmer

The Vice President highlighted the pivotal role that technology can play in making agriculture more efficient and sustainable. Commending recent initiatives like drone-based monitoring and precision agriculture, he emphasized that these technologies must be made accessible to small and marginal farmers.

He also urged a relook at India’s current approach to subsidies. Referring to the massive ₹3 lakh crore annual fertilizer subsidy, Dhankhar proposed a direct benefit transfer (DBT) model to ensure that the support reaches farmers without leakages.

“If each farmer receives this assistance directly, it could amount to ₹30,000–₹35,000 a year per farmer. We must explore a system where this support doesn’t get diluted through middlemen,” he insisted.

The Vice President drew parallels with the United States, where, he noted, the average income of a farming family surpasses that of a regular household due to direct government support.

Cooperatives, CSR, and Community-Led Growth

Dhankhar also called upon India’s large industries to reinvest in rural economies through their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds. “This is not a criticism, but a suggestion,” he said. “Those who benefit from farm produce must also invest in the farming ecosystem—whether it’s through storage infrastructure, research partnerships, or rural entrepreneurship.”

He reiterated the importance of reviving cooperative models for better resource pooling, fair pricing, and shared prosperity. “Look at our villages. We once produced everything ourselves—from soap to oil, fruits to vegetables. Why have we surrendered our self-sufficiency to packaged goods and external markets?” he asked.

With a touch of humor, he narrated an anecdote about a farmer seeking the best version of sugar, only to discover that the milk in his own home was more valuable than any product sold to him by a savvy trader.

“The best product was already in his home,” Dhankhar said, drawing laughter and introspection from the audience. “That’s how it is with our villages too. We often fail to recognize our own strengths.”

Strengthening the Knowledge Ecosystem

The Vice President praised the government’s ongoing support for farmers, particularly the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN), and called for an institutional review of its implementation to maximize its impact. He highlighted the growing synergy between India’s 730-plus Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) and central agricultural institutions, crediting Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan for bringing renewed energy to these platforms.

“This momentum must be sustained,” he urged. “Our agricultural research institutes must not be limited to laboratories. Their findings and innovations must reach the hands of those who till the land.”

Addressing the often-overlooked area of livestock, Dhankhar pointed out how countries like New Zealand have built prosperous economies on the back of dairy farming despite small populations. He lamented that Indian dairy farmers often remain mere suppliers to cooperatives or private companies, with little say in pricing or processing.

“We must develop clusters where milk is not only collected but also turned into high-value products like butter, paneer, or sweets locally. This will significantly boost rural incomes,” he said.

In his concluding remarks, Vice President Dhankhar urged farmers, scientists, and policymakers to collaborate in reshaping Indian agriculture into a self-reliant, high-value, and youth-driven sector. He invoked the proverb, “God helps those who help themselves,” and called on the community to commit themselves to this cause.

“Agriculture is not just an economic activity, it is the heartbeat of India’s soul, its villages, and its values,” he said. “If we work together, with innovation and integrity, the transformation of Bharat’s economy will begin from its soil.”

As the session wrapped up at ICAR-CCARI, the message was clear: India’s path to becoming a developed nation runs through its farms, and the future farmer must be both a producer and a pioneer.