FM Sitharaman outlines roadmap for rural growth
India’s path to becoming a developed nation requires rural transformation through farmer empowerment and the establishment of district-level food processing centers, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Monday. The government created the Kalyana Sampada brand and directed each district to develop local agricultural products into value-added goods under the One District, One Product program.
NABARD selected farmer-producer companies in each district to run processing and training facilities. Sitharaman allocated her legislative development funds to establish processing capabilities near farms. The minister said domestic food processing capacity protects national security as global trade becomes more restrictive.
Strong processing infrastructure shields the country from international supply disruptions while generating rural wealth. The federal government and states must expand successful district models nationwide through cooperative federalism. Sitharaman pledged support for agricultural incomes earlier this month at the opening of a training center and processing unit in Karnataka, highlighting soil health programs and higher minimum support prices.
