Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched 81 investment projects worth over sixty thousand crore rupees at a mega groundbreaking event in Uttar Pradesh capital Lucknow. A large number of leading industrialists of the country participated in the event.
Speaking at a function Modi claimed the aggregate corporate investment in the domestic farm sector was an abysmal one per cent, much lower than other economies, and that even this was largely in urea or tractor manufacturing.
“Recently, I had convened a meeting of top industrialists in Mumbai to discuss the issue of corporate investment in agriculture. I spent half a day with them and gave a presentation too,” he added.
Modi said he urged industrialists to invest in institutional aspects of agriculture such as value addition, warehousing, cold storage and packaging, which would trim post-harvest farm wastage and increase farmers’ income. “I have suggested that industrialists and heads of business groups form a core team to brainstorm on agricultural sector investments.”
Modi stressed on the vision to integrate industry with domestic agricultural sector for rural prosperity and for laying the foundation of a sustainable socio-economic growth. “I am still working on the plan and talking to industry. I am confident about the concept.”