'Manufacturing hub India emerging as global force'

"INDIA views agriculture as the primary driver of development and is committed to giving farmers a place of pride," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday while participating in a post-Budget webinar on agriculture and rural prosperity.

- RAJESH KUMAR THAKUR @ New Delhi

Modi said his government is working towards two major objectives simultaneously — development of the agricultural sector and prosperity of villages. "The government has announced PM-Dhan Dhanya Krishi Yojana in the Budget and under this, focus will be on the development of 100 districts with the lowest agricultural productivity in the country," the PM said.

He spoke about the ways the government is ensuring maximum investment in the horticulture, dairy, and fishery sectors, with schemes in place to facilitate their "inclusive and balanced" growth. Speaking about the priorities in agriculture, the PM referred to the government's decision to establish a Makhana Board in Bihar, aimed at strengthening the rural economy.

"Under the PM Awas Yojana Gramin, crores of poor people are being given houses. The ownership scheme has given records of rights to property owners," Modi said, adding that ₹3.75 lakh crore has been directly transferred to the accounts of 11 crore farmers under the PM-KISAN scheme.