Food grain production tripled under Modi regime, says Shivraj

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Wednesday said India’s food grain production has tripled over the past 11 years under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, calling it a historic achievement despite challenges like climate change and small landholdings.

Speaking at the 97th Foundation Day celebrations of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) in New Delhi, Chouhan said India’s food grain production has grown by 8.1 million tonnes annually between 2013–14 and 2025, a two-and-a-half to three times rise compared to earlier decades.

"Our granaries are full, and we are exporting wheat. There has been a significant increase in rice production as well. The Cabinet even discussed additional storage space for rice today," Chouhan said, describing the growth as an agricultural revolution under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership.

During the event, Chouhan presented the Utkrishta Karm Nishpaka Awards to scientists for their outstanding contributions in categories such as women scientists, young scientists, and innovation. He also inaugurated 10 agricultural publications and witnessed the signing of several MoUs related to the farm sector.

Chouhan referred to Indian scientists as “modern Maharishis,” praising their intellectual capabilities and tireless work towards farmer welfare. He said that horticulture, milk production, and other agricultural areas have also seen record growth. Fruit and vegetable production increased by 7.5 million tonnes in the last 11 years, while annual milk production grew by 10.2 million tonnes from 2014 to 2025.

He stressed the importance of making research farmer-centric. “Research will no longer be decided only in Pusa, it will be based on real issues faced by farmers in their fields,” Chouhan said, noting that through the government’s Vikasit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan, 500 research topics had been identified, including issues like virus attacks on Bt cotton.

The minister also warned against the sale of substandard fertilisers and seeds, stating that a toll-free helpline will soon be launched for farmers to report complaints. He said strict action would be taken against those found guilty of selling non-standard products.