Modernisation in agriculture need of the hour: PM Modi in Mann Ki Baat

Emphasising the fact that India has "lost a lot of time", Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said modernisation in the field of Indian agriculture is the need of the hour.

In his monthly radio address 'Mann ki Baat', Modi said adopting new alternatives, new innovations, along with traditional farming, are equally important to create new opportunities for employment in the agriculture sector and to increase the income of farmers.

"The country has experienced it during the white revolution. Now bee farming is emerging as a similar alternative. Bee farming is becoming the foundation of a honey revolution or sweet revolution in the country. Farmers in large numbers are associating with it and innovating," he said.

"Modernisation in the field of Indian agriculture is the need of the hour. It is already late. We have already lost a lot of time," Modi said in his 75th Mann ki Baat programme.

The Prime Minister's remarks on agriculture and emphasis on adopting modern practices come at a time when thousands of farmers are protesting along Delhi's borders points at Tikri, Singhu and Ghazipur since November last year demanding the repeal of the three contentious central farm laws.

On the Covid-19 pandemic, the Prime Minister said India has the world's largest vaccination programme while stressing "dawai bhi, kadai bhi" (medicines as well as strict preventive measures).

He also referred to the Janata curfew on March 22 last year. "From very early on, the people of India have put up a spirited fight against Covid-19," he added.

"The Janata Curfew had become bewilderment to the entire world. It was an unprecedented example of discipline; generations to come will certainly feel proud of that. Similarly, expressing honour, respect for our corona warriors, ringing thalis, applauding, lighting a lamp! You cannot imagine how much it had touched the hearts of corona warriors…and that is the very reason they resolutely held on the whole year, without tiring, without halting," Modi said.

He also said India's 'Nari Shakti' is excelling in the sports field and lauded the recent sporting feats of cricketer Mithali Raj and shuttler P V Sindhu.