Farms and Villages Hold Key to Viksit Bharat 2047: Om Birla

• Om Birla says India’s development journey runs through its villages and farms
• Sustainable agriculture, innovation and research termed pillars of Viksit Bharat@2047
• Speaker stresses use of AI, drones and digital farming technologies
• Calls for greater role of youth, women and agri-startups in rural transformation

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 14th June: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Friday said India’s aspiration to become a developed nation by 2047 can only be achieved through the transformation of its agriculture sector, villages and rural economy, stressing that sustainable farming, innovation and research will form the foundation of Viksit Bharat.

Addressing the inaugural session of the two-day National Conference on “Sustainable Agriculture for Viksit Bharat@2047: Tradition, Technology and Tangible Outcomes”, Birla emphasized the need to combine India’s rich agricultural heritage with modern technological advancements to create a resilient and globally competitive farming ecosystem.

The conference was organized by the Akhil Bharatiya Rashtriya Shaikshik Mahasangh (ABRSM) in collaboration with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.

Describing agriculture as much more than an economic activity, Birla said farming remains deeply connected to India’s culture, civilization and way of life.

“India’s villages are the country’s true strength, and farmers continue to be the backbone of both our economy and social fabric,” he said.

The Lok Sabha Speaker noted that agriculture will remain central to ensuring food security, rural prosperity, social harmony and inclusive development as India advances toward becoming a developed nation.

Highlighting challenges posed by climate change and changing global conditions, Birla stressed the importance of science-driven and research-backed agricultural practices. He said the integration of traditional farming knowledge with modern technology is essential for building a sustainable and profitable agricultural sector.

He identified agricultural universities, research institutions, scientists and innovators as the key pillars of India’s agricultural future.

Referring to emerging technologies, Birla said tools such as drones, artificial intelligence, data analytics and digital farming are transforming agriculture by improving precision, productivity and efficiency.

He also called for the expansion of agro-based industries, food processing units and agri-startups to create employment opportunities and accelerate rural development.

On environmental sustainability, the Speaker underlined the importance of water conservation, micro-irrigation, soil health management, quality seeds, balanced fertilizer use and climate-resilient crop varieties.

He praised the efforts of ICAR and the scientific community in developing innovative solutions to strengthen agricultural productivity and sustainability.

Birla further highlighted the role of youth, women and grassroots innovators in driving rural economic growth and called upon researchers, teachers, policymakers and farmers to work together in creating self-reliant agricultural models.

Describing the conference as a reflection of the country’s collective intellectual strength, he expressed confidence that the deliberations would contribute to strengthening agricultural education, promoting sustainable farming practices and improving farmers’ livelihoods.

He said achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047 requires collective efforts from citizens, academic institutions, social organizations and policymakers.