Farmers Should Be Entrepreneurs Responding to Market Demand, Says NITI Aayog's Ashok Lahiri

Call for Market-Oriented Farming

NITI Aayog member Ashok Lahiri said farmers should adopt a more business-oriented approach to agriculture by producing crops that match changing consumer demand.

He suggested that agriculture should increasingly be viewed as an enterprise focused on profitability and long-term sustainability.

Diversification Beyond Rice and Wheat

According to Lahiri, farmers should consider diversifying into crops and products that offer better market returns instead of depending predominantly on rice and wheat.

He said such an approach could:

• Increase farmers' incomes.

• Reduce dependence on a limited number of crops.

• Encourage innovation in agriculture.

• Improve competitiveness in domestic and global markets.

These remarks reflect Lahiri's views on agricultural policy.

Focus on Value Addition

Lahiri also highlighted the need for:

• Better market linkages.

• Food processing and value addition.

• Technology adoption.

• Improved supply chains.

• Greater access to market information.

He noted that these measures could help farmers make informed production decisions based on demand.

Policy Context

The comments come amid ongoing discussions on agricultural reforms, crop diversification and strategies to enhance farmers' incomes while ensuring sustainable agricultural growth.

Looking Ahead

Experts and policymakers continue to debate ways to make Indian agriculture more market-driven while balancing food security, farmer welfare and environmental sustainability. Crop diversification and value-added agriculture are expected to remain important policy priorities