New Delhi: India’s journey towards becoming a developed nation by 2047 will be driven by its farms, fields and villages, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said on Friday, stressing that sustainable agriculture, innovation and research are key pillars of the Viksit Bharat vision.
Addressing the inaugural session of a two-day national conference on “Sustainable Agriculture for Viksit Bharat@2047: Tradition, Technology and Tangible Outcomes” in New Delhi, Birla said agriculture is not merely an economic activity but an integral part of India’s culture, civilisation and way of life.
He said farming will remain central to ensuring food security, rural prosperity and inclusive growth. “India’s villages are the country’s real strength, and farmers continue to be the backbone of the economy and society,” he noted.
Highlighting challenges posed by climate change and changing global conditions, Birla called for science-driven and innovation-led agriculture. He emphasized the need to combine traditional farming wisdom with modern technologies to create a sustainable and profitable agricultural ecosystem.
The Speaker said emerging technologies such as drones, artificial intelligence, digital farming and data analytics are transforming agriculture by making it more precise and productive. He also underlined the importance of expanding agro-based industries, food processing units and agri-startups to boost rural development and improve farmers’ incomes.
Birla stressed the need for water conservation, micro-irrigation, soil health management, quality seeds, efficient fertilizer use and climate-resilient crop varieties. He lauded the contributions of Indian Council of Agricultural Research and the scientific community in strengthening agricultural productivity.
Calling for collective efforts from researchers, scientists, policymakers and farmers, Birla said youth participation, women’s leadership and grassroots innovation would play a crucial role in strengthening the rural economy and achieving the goal of a self-reliant and developed India by 2047.
