PM Modi Pitches Chemical-Free Farming To Boost Agrifood Exports

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday urged farmers to adopt chemical-free farming and build integrated farm-to-export supply chains for millets, spices and fruits, aiming to tap global markets. "We have to move from the farm to the export market," Modi said, as reported by Times of India, identifying food production as one of seven streams (Sapta Dhara) that can power India to new heights in 5-7 years. NDTV Profit reported the call for a shift from farm production to export markets driven by rising demand for chemical-free food.

The absence of adequate supply chains currently hinders crop diversification, with farmers often preferring water-guzzling sugarcane and paddy over millets. Modi stressed the need for food processing and leveraging free trade agreements to reach larger markets. The seven streams include manufacturing, agriculture, and technology and innovation, aimed at making India developed by 2047.