Jagdeep Dhankar, India's Vice President appealed to all agri-stakeholders and policy makers to think about having a new national agricultural agenda that focuses on making our farmers prosperous.

The Vice President was in Coimbatore's Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) to take part in a talk-session titled 'Fostering Agri-Education, Innovation and Entrepreneurship for Viksit Bharat', organized by TNAU on Sunday. 

He addressed the Students & Faculty of TNAU, Entrepreneurs, Women Start Ups and Farmers Producers Organisations. Tamil Nadu Governor R.N.Ravi was also present.

Speaking to them, the Vice President said that it is time for India to script a new chapter in Agriculture sector.

"India has always been a land of agriculture and its heart pulsates in villages...Our national agricultural agenda must move from food security to farmer prosperity," the VP said.

Food security was a national priority at one point of time because of the food scarcity that prevailed during India's rising period as an independent nation. 

"We had food deficiency and we once used to import wheat from USA (the PL 480 scheme). Today we have become self-sufficient in food," he said.

India is now the net exporter of agriculture produce, with agri food products forming approximately 11% of our total exports. The sector contributes 16% of the GDP.

Now it is time to make our farmers be prosperous, and this has to evolve from institutions like TNAU, he expressed.

Farmer should not just limit himself to be a producer of a product. He should step out of the farmland and involve himself in marketing his produce. He should gain much financially. 

He urged the audience to empower farmers by generating awareness and by telling them that Indian Government's cooperative system is very robust.

India needs Farmer-Entrepreneurs. The students and faculty of Agricultural Institutions can help farmers have such a mindset so that they can transform themselves from farm producers to entrepreneurs, who can have an industry which is based on their own produces.

Sharing that more Corporates are entering agronomy, the VP urged them to connect with farmers and give back to the farm sector. The connect must be genuine and lasting.

India's destiny is rooted in the fertility of our fields, the resilience of our farmers and the innovation crucibles with Institutions like TNAU, he remarked.