PM Modi highlights India’s ‘untapped potential’ in farm sector during NITI Aayog meet

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday stressed on India’s “untapped potential” in the farm sector and highlighted other sectors India can improve upon to counter the COVID-19 pandemic-induced economic slump. 

Chairing the sixth meeting of the government think tank NITI Aayog, PM Modi said, “Even during COVID, India saw a rise in exports in the agriculture sector. We have a lot of untapped potential in this sector. Wastage of our products should be kept to a minimum and we must focus on storage and processing.”

“Even today, despite being called an agricultural country, we import Rs 65,000-70,000 crores worth of edible oil,” he said, adding, “The money can go to our farmers’ account. Our farmers are entitled to this money, but for this we have to make our plans that way.”

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The prime minister suggested helping the private sector and improving the Ease of Business in the country as means of attracting foreign investment. 

He also stressed on the need to increase co-operation between the Centre and the states.

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“In the COVID period we saw how Centre and States worked together, the nation succeeded and a good image of India was built before the entire world,” he said.

“Policy framework and cooperation between Centre and state is also very important. Coastal states are a fine example. Exports from blue economy have unlimited opportunities. Why shouldn’t our coastal states take extra initiatives for the same?” he added. 

Talking about the fisheries industry, PM Modi said, “Can we not export processed fish products at a large scale?” adding, India “must connect all sources of investment to this sector”.