11 years of NDA Government: PM hails ‘hard-working farmers’, pledges support

Ahead of the completion of 11 years of the NDA government on June 9, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday lauded India’s hard-working farmers and pledged to continue backing them.

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“It’s our privilege to serve our hardworking farmers. For the past 11 years, our various initiatives have boosted prosperity for farmers and also ensured an overall transformation of the agriculture sector. We have focused on issues like soil health and irrigation, which have been greatly beneficial. Our efforts towards farmer welfare will continue with greater vigour in the times to come,” he said.

The government released data to show an increase in the MSP support to farmers as compared to the Congress-led UPA. The demand for statutory backing to the MSP has agitated farmers across Punjab and Haryana for better part of the past five years, starting with a major farmers’ agitation that led to the government’s retraction of three agricultural reform bills.

The government said between 2014-15 and 2024-25, procurement of 14 kharif crops was 7,871 lakh metric tonnes as against 4,679 LMT from 2004-05 to 2013-14.

“The MSP for wheat rose from Rs 1,400 per quintal in 2013–14 to Rs 2,425 per quintal in 2024–25, ensuring better returns for wheat growers. A total of Rs 6.04 lakh crore has been disbursed as MSP payments for wheat during 2014–2024, a substantial rise compared to Rs 2.2 lakh crore paid during 2004–2014,” the government said.

It added that MSP for paddy increased from Rs 1,310 per quintal in 2013–14 to Rs 2,369 per quintal in 2025–26, benefiting millions of paddy farmers. “During the period 2014-15 to 2024-25, procurement of paddy was 7,608 LMT while during the period 2004-05 to 2013-14, procurement of paddy was 4,590 LMT. During 2014-15 to 2024-25, MSP amount paid to paddy growing famers was Rs 14.16 lakh crore while during the period 2004-05 to 2013-14, amount paid to farmers was Rs 4.44 lakh crore,” officials said.

The government said pulses sector had seen a significant turnaround in the last 11 years. “Previously marked by low cultivation, limited procurement, high import dependence and elevated consumer prices, the sector now exhibits increased cultivation, substantial procurement driven by higher MSPs, reduced import reliance, and improved price stability for consumers,” said officials.

“Procurement of pulses witnessed a significant increase of 7,350%, rising from 1.52 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) during 2009–2014 to 82.98 LMT during 2020–2025. Oilseeds procurement at MSP rose by over 1,500% in the last 11 years, reflecting the government’s strong support for farmers,” said the government.