Why Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar's call to empower farmers and boost individual incomes is the core of a truly developed India
In a powerful and forward-thinking message, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar has urged the nation to rethink what it means to be a "developed India" or Viksit Bharat. While India has recently overtaken Japan to become the world’s fourth-largest economy, Dhankhar warned that GDP rankings alone don’t define development. The real metric, he emphasized, is income growth — specifically, an eightfold increase in the average citizen’s income.
“Today, it is necessary that when we talk about Viksit Bharat, it does not mean the rank at which our economy is. To define Viksit Bharat and make it a ground reality, each person’s income has to be increased by eight times,” Dhankhar said while addressing the media on the death anniversary of former Prime Minister Chaudhary Charan Singh, a revered leader of India’s farming community.
Viksit Bharat: A Vision Beyond Numbers
India’s economic journey over the last decade has been marked by resilience and progress. From digital transformation and manufacturing growth to record-breaking exports and startup expansion, the nation’s macroeconomic indicators have been robust.
But Dhankhar’s statement brings attention to a more grounded and human-centered measure of success: how much do ordinary Indians earn, and how secure is their livelihood?
It’s a timely reminder. A nation’s global economic status is important, but if income disparities remain wide and rural populations struggle, then the benefits of growth are not truly reaching the grassroots.
Farmers Must Become Entrepreneurs
A key focus of Dhankhar’s message was the role of India’s farmers. Traditionally seen as producers, they must now also become entrepreneurs, he said.
“Farmers today are limited to production, but should now become involved with trades based on agriculture and animal husbandry,” he noted.
This is where India’s vast agriculture ecosystem can be transformed. Through value addition, food processing, branding, direct-to-consumer channels, and livestock-based enterprises, farmers can multiply their incomes and build rural prosperity.
The food processing industry, for instance, is projected to grow exponentially in the coming years. It not only increases shelf life and market value of produce but also creates jobs and opens up export opportunities. Encouraging farmer-led agri-businesses and cooperatives can be a game-changer in making farming more profitable and sustainable.
Agro-Based Industries: A Hidden Engine of Growth
Dhankhar’s call is aligned with the larger push for Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India), where the rural economy becomes a major driver of national progress. Agro-based industries, including dairy, meat processing, bio-manufacturing, and organic products, are still vastly underexplored in India.
What’s needed is:
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Skill development programs tailored to rural youth and farmers
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Access to finance for small and medium agri-enterprises
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Digital tools and platforms for market linkages
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Cold chains and logistics infrastructure to reduce waste
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Branding and packaging innovations to improve product competitiveness
If policy and private sector support align with this vision, farmers can transition from vulnerable cultivators to resilient entrepreneurs — a cornerstone of Viksit Bharat.
Political Reactions Highlight the Debate
Unsurprisingly, Dhankhar’s remarks stirred political response. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh took to social media, acknowledging the Vice President's message but using it as an opportunity to critique the Modi government.
“The Hon’ble Vice President’s wise words on Viksit Bharat are very timely and appropriate. He should be listened to seriously by those throwing out slogans and filmi dialogues thinking that theatrics is governance,” Ramesh wrote on X.
While the politics of development will continue, Dhankhar’s emphasis on substance over slogans brings the conversation back to real, measurable progress — household incomes, rural transformation, and equitable prosperity.
The Bigger Picture: Inclusive Growth Is True Growth
As India sets ambitious goals for 2047 — the 100th year of independence — the idea of becoming a developed nation will require far more than headline economic achievements. It will require income security, social mobility, financial literacy, healthcare access, and educational opportunities for every Indian.
Dhankhar’s vision is not just a challenge — it's a roadmap. A roadmap that places the farmer, the small entrepreneur, and the common citizen at the center of India’s development story.
The question for policymakers, businesses, and civil society now is: Are we ready to build an economy where prosperity is not just national, but personal?
India’s future isn’t just about becoming the next global superpower. It’s about ensuring that the progress touches every village, every household, and every field. That’s the true spirit of Viksit Bharat.
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