Our Annadatas Are Strongest Pillars of Viksit Bharat: PM Modi
PM inaugurates and lays foundation stones for projects worth over ₹14,000 crore, highlighting farmers’ welfare, dairy development, rural prosperity and infrastructure expansion in Gujarat.
- PM Modi launches projects worth over ₹14,000 crore in Banaskantha.
- More than ₹18,000 crore PM-KISAN instalment released to farmers.
- Two bio-CNG plants and a livestock research centre receive a push.
- Rail, metro, highway and horticulture projects announced for Gujarat.
GG News Bureau
Banaskantha, 30th Oct: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated, dedicated and laid the foundation stone for development projects worth more than ₹14,000 crore in Gujarat’s Banaskantha district, announcing a major push for agriculture, dairy, infrastructure and rural development. Addressing the gathering, PM Modi’s Gujarat development initiatives focused on improving farmers’ incomes, strengthening animal husbandry and expanding connectivity.
During the programme, the Prime Minister also released a fresh instalment of the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, transferring more than ₹18,000 crore to the bank accounts of around 10 crore farmers across the country.
Highlighting the government’s commitment to farmers, PM Modi said the national agriculture budget had increased more than fivefold compared with 2013-14. He noted that over ₹4.5 lakh crore had been transferred directly to farmers under PM-KISAN and that government measures had delivered or saved more than ₹50 lakh crore for the farming community.
The Prime Minister cited several initiatives supporting cultivators, including fertiliser subsidies, minimum support price (MSP) procurement, crop insurance and solar irrigation pumps under PM-KUSUM. He said farmers had received more than ₹24 lakh crore through MSP payments for wheat and paddy over the past 12 years, while crop insurance compensation under PM Fasal Bima Yojana had exceeded ₹2 lakh crore.
Focus on Dairy and Animal Husbandry
Emphasising the importance of animal husbandry in the rural economy, PM Modi highlighted investments in scientific breeding, livestock healthcare and dairy infrastructure. He said a newly established research centre in Banaskantha would support the conservation and improvement of indigenous cattle breeds, including Gir, Sahiwal and Kankrej, and buffalo breeds such as Mehsana, Murrah and Jaffarabadi.
The facility will also promote modern breeding technologies, including in-vitro fertilisation (IVF). The Prime Minister said the government had administered around 150 crore free livestock vaccine doses, benefiting animals belonging to more than eight crore farmers.
He also highlighted India’s growing milk production, stating that average daily milk yield per cow or buffalo had increased from less than five litres in 2013-14 to nearly eight litres.
The programme also included the foundation stone laying of two bio-CNG plants, aimed at converting cattle dung and agricultural residue into biogas, bio-CNG and organic fertiliser.
Infrastructure and Farmers’ Markets
PM Modi highlighted several infrastructure initiatives, including two new train services — the Ahmedabad-Varanasi Sabarmati Express and the Mehsana-Becharaji-Sabarmati MEMU train.
Foundation stones were also laid for metro connectivity projects linking GIFT City and the airport. The Ahmedabad-Mehsana highway is set to be expanded from four lanes to eight lanes.
The Prime Minister announced approval for 12 horticulture clusters covering crops such as tomato, potato, chilli, grapes, banana, onion, orange, pomegranate and cocoa. He said the clusters would help farmers improve production and benefit from orchard development and rejuvenation support.
More than 4,000 modern Anganwadis were also inaugurated across Gujarat, expected to benefit around four lakh children and pregnant women.
PM Calls for Water and Energy Conservation
Recalling Gujarat’s development journey over the past 25 years, Modi urged people to continue conserving water and electricity. He also referred to the transformation of Banaskantha through Narmada water, drip irrigation and the expansion of the dairy cooperative movement.
Addressing concerns over international conflicts and their impact on agricultural supplies, he said the government had ensured the availability of fertilisers at subsidised prices despite global price pressures.
The Prime Minister also invited citizens, particularly young people, to participate in the Run for Unity on October 31, marking National Unity Day and the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
