Soumya Swaminathan, Chair of the MS Swaminathan Research Foundation and former Deputy Director-General (DDG) at the World Health Organization (WHO), on Thursday praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s steadfast commitment to safeguarding the welfare of farmers and his refusal to yield to “any kind of pressures.”
“Firstly, he (MS Swaminathan) would have been very happy that the Prime Minister gave such a strong message of support for farmers, fishermen, and tribal communities – and that he repeated it many times. PM Modi made it clear that he would protect farmers’ rights and their welfare and would not give in to any other kind of pressures,” Swaminathan told ANI.
She underscored the importance of preparing to withstand “geopolitical pressures” and called for a collaborative approach involving scientists, technologists, policymakers, and farmers.
“My father would also have said that this is the time for us to come together — scientists, technologists, policymakers, and stakeholders, including farmers from across the country — to think about what the solution could be. How is India now going to chart its way forward? How are we going to deal with these geopolitical pressures?” she added.
Swaminathan further stressed that while India is already self-reliant in food production, as part of the global community it must account for interdependencies, and continue progressing by integrating science and technology with traditional wisdom – an approach endorsed by the Prime Minister.
“We are already self-reliant in food, but as members of the global community, there are many interdependencies. We have to find a way forward through the application of science and technology, blended with traditional wisdom – just as the Prime Minister mentioned. I believe it is possible,” she said.
Prof. K.C. Bansal, former Director of the National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (ICAR), echoed this sentiment, stating that India is fully capable of offering technological support to farmers and emphasized the need to strive for self-sufficiency.
“We welcome the message given by the Prime Minister. We scientists can say with pride that our indigenous knowledge and talent are globally recognized. We are capable of supporting farmers with technology and developing new initiatives to meet our needs. The message he has delivered is strong. We must continue to work towards becoming truly aatmanirbhar (self-reliant),” Bansal told ANI.
Prof. Rajeev K. Varshney, International Chair in Agriculture and Food Security at the Food Futures Institute, Murdoch University (Australia), noted that the US-imposed tariffs on Indian goods could create challenges for the country’s agricultural sector, which is dominated by small-scale farmers.
“India is an agricultural country, and agriculture here is not merely a business but a livelihood. Trade deals must be mutually beneficial. I understand what PM Modi has said — it is in the interest of the farmers. If we are subjected to these high tariffs, it will create a very difficult situation for the agriculture sector, as most Indian farmers operate on a small scale, unlike in the West where agriculture is dominated by large industries,” Varshney said.
Earlier in the day, PM Modi issued a strong statement against the recent US tariffs, reaffirming that farmers remain a top priority for his government and that India would never compromise their interests.
“For us, the interests of our farmers come first. India will never compromise on the welfare of our farmers, fishermen, and dairy farmers. I know there will be a price to pay for this, and I am ready for it. India is ready for it,” PM Modi declared while addressing the MS Swaminathan Centenary International Conference.
(ANI)