THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK
New Delhi, August 7: A day after US President Donald Trump imposed an additional 25% tariff on India—taking the total to 50%—in response to India’s continued oil trade with Russia, Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the M.S. Swaminathan Centenary International Conference in Delhi on Thursday. The US decision has drawn strong criticism from opposition parties targeting the Modi government.
During the conference, Prime Minister Modi reaffirmed the central government’s commitment to the welfare of farmers, fishermen, and dairy producers, stating that protecting their interests remains the nation’s top priority—even at a significant political cost.
“For us, the interests of farmers are our top priority. India will never compromise on the interests of its farmers, dairy farmers and fishermen”, he said.
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To safeguard the interests of farmers, the PM said he was ready to personally pay the huge price. “I know that I will personally have to pay a heavy price. But I am ready for it. Today, India is ready (to pay the price) for the fishermen and dairy farmers,” he said.
He paid tribute to Professor M.S. Swaminathan, widely regarded as the father of the Green Revolution in India, recalling his pivotal contributions toward building a self-reliant agricultural sector.
Modi highlighted Swaminathan’s broader vision that extended beyond crop production to include concepts like biodiversity and bio-happiness, which aimed to empower local communities and bring about positive change in their lives.
As a tribute to Swaminathan’s legacy, the Prime Minister announced the launch of the “M.S. Swaminathan Award for Food and Peace.” This award will honor scientists from developing countries who have made significant contributions to food security. The first recipient of the award is a professor from Nigeria.
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He also informed the nation about India’s growing prominence in global agricultural production. India now ranks among the leading producers of rice, wheat, cotton, vegetables, and fish, while crops like soybean, groundnut, and mustard have achieved record production levels.
These achievements, he said, reflect both the hard work of Indian farmers and the effectiveness of farmer-focused government policies.
