Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the immense potential of the youth in Jammu and Kashmir, stating that recent train services from the Valley significantly boost trade across regions. He made these remarks during an interaction with farmers in New Delhi, coinciding with the launch of the PM Dhan Dhaanya Krishi Yojana, a ₹24,000 crore initiative set to enhance agricultural productivity.
During this event, progressive farmers shared their success stories. Fayaz Ahmad Ganaie, a farmer from Ganderbal, spoke of his impressive growth, stating, “I’ve come from Kashmir. I saw your progressive schemes for farmers and availed their benefits. Today, I have 14 employees and earn around ₹15 lakh in profits annually.” His success illustrates the potential that Modi attributes to the youth of Jammu and Kashmir.
In response, PM Modi said, “The youth of Jammu and Kashmir have immense strength. Now with the train services, goods have been moving fast from the Kashmir valley.” The recent introduction of direct goods train services from New Delhi to Kashmir marks a transformative step, enabling the transport of various goods like vehicles and apples directly to and from Srinagar for the first time.
PM Modi also encouraged farmers to shift gradually towards natural farming practices. He suggested experimenting on small portions of land to build confidence and see positive outcomes. Farmers attending the event shared their experiences of adopting innovative practices after past interactions with the Prime Minister.
A female farmer praised the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme, calling the annual ₹6,000 support “a blessing” that allowed her to buy seeds and prepare her fields on time. Alongside her testimony, other farmers presented unique innovations, including aeroponically grown “Jain potato” and value-added garlic products like paste and powder.
The Prime Minister underscored India’s agricultural achievements over the past 11 years. He noted that agricultural exports have nearly doubled and that foodgrain output has increased by 90 million metric tonnes. Additionally, he highlighted that India ranks first in milk production and stands as the second-largest fish producer globally. Furthermore, honey production has doubled since 2014.
He also shared that over 10,000 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) have been formed to bolster farmer cooperation and enhance market access. His commitment to empowering farmers is expressed through the PM Dhan Dhaanya Krishi Yojana, which draws inspiration from the Aspirational Districts Model, fostering innovation, technology adoption, and inclusive growth.
Through this initiative, the government aims not just to boost agricultural productivity but also to nurture the confidence of the youth, enabling them to become key contributors to the economy. As more young individuals from Jammu and Kashmir engage in trade and agriculture, the potential for development and progress in the region grows immensely.
