<span style="color: #222222;">Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that more than seven hundred Agri Startups have been created in the country in the last three to four years. Mr Modi said, in merely six years agriculture budget has been increased manifold. He said, Agriculture loans for farmers were also increased by two and half times in the last seven years. Addressing a webinar on positive impact of Union Budget 2022 in Agriculture sector through video conferencing, the Prime Minister elaborated on the seven ways in which the Budget proposes to make agriculture modern and smart.<br />''<br />''He said, the target of the government is to undertake natural farming on mission mode within five Kilometres on both the banks of the Ganges. Modern technology in agriculture and horticulture will be made available to the farmers. Mr. Modi said, in the budget, emphasis has been laid on strengthening Mission Oil Palm to reduce the import of edible oil. Prime Minister said, new logistics arrangements will be made through PM Gati-Shakti's plan for the transportation of agricultural products.<br />''<br />''He stressed that Artificial intelligence is going to completely change the trend related to agriculture and farming in the 21st century. He said, increasing use of drones in farming is part of this change. Mr Modi emphasized the need for increased soil testing culture in India.<br />''<br />''Highlighting the government's focus on the Soil Health Cards, he called upon the startups to come forwards to facilitate the practice of soil testing at regular intervals.<br />''<br />''During the webinar, Prime Minister discussed the ways in which the Budget will contribute to strengthening the agriculture sector. He said, PM Kisan Samman Nidhi's scheme has become a strong support for the small farmers of the country. Under the scheme, almost one lakh 75 thousand crore rupees have been given to 11 crore farmers. Mr. Modi talked about many new systems spanning from seed to market and also about the reforms in the old systems in the agriculture sector. He pointed out that during the difficult period of the pandemic, three crore farmers were given Kisan Credit Cards.<br />'' <br />''He threw light on how micro-irrigation network has also been strengthened to great benefit of the small farmers. Mr Modi said, due to these efforts, farmers are giving record production and new records have been created in Minimum Support Price purchases too. Mr. Modi said, due to encouragement to organic farming, the market for organic products has reached 11 thousand crore rupees.<br />''<br />''The Prime Minister noted year 2023 being recognized as International Year of Millets and called upon the corporate world to come forward in branding and promoting Indian millets.<br />''<br />''He also asked major Indian missions abroad to organize seminars and other promotional activities to popularize the quality and benefits of Indian millets. Prime Minister called for leveraging increasing awareness for environmental-friendly lifestyle and resulting market for natural and organic products.<br />''<br />''The Prime Minister emphasized management of agri-residue (parali). He said, for this, some new measures have been taken in this budget, due to which carbon emission will be reduced and farmers will also get more income. Mr. Modi said the aim should be to promote the diverse range of Natural juices produced in India and take it to nook and corners of country with a Make In India approach.</span><br />