Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari has emphasised that the diversification of agriculture towards the energy and power sector is the need of the country.

 

Addressing the 2nd edition of India Bioenergy and Tech Expo in New Delhi today, Mr Gadkari said that 65 per cent of India’s population belongs to agriculture and rural areas, and their contribution to GDP is only 14 per cent. He added that poverty and unemployment in villages stem from farmers not getting fair prices for their produce.

 

 

The Minister stressed that global markets often decide the prices of crops like sugar, corn, oil, and soybeans, leaving Indian farmers vulnerable. Mr Gadkari added that it is essential to support agriculture through such initiatives and promote bioenergy to protect rural, agricultural, and tribal economies.