{
  "id": 9971301,
  "title": "India can achieve over 10% economic growth, says Sitharaman",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/26/india-can-achieve-over-10-economic-growth-says-sitharaman",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-09-26T11:02:42.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Economic Times - Economy",
    "slug": "the-economic-times-economy",
    "url": "https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/indicators/india-can-achieve-over-10-economic-growth-says-sitharaman/articleshow/134502947.cms"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Bengaluru: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman expressed optimism that India could achieve an economic growth rate exceeding 10 percent, highlighting the importance of embracing technology and innovation across various sectors. Addressing a fireside chat organized by the IIT Madras Alumni Association, Sitharaman emphasized that achieving such growth would propel India towards the goals of Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat, but noted that it would demand substantial collective effort.\n\nSitharaman stated that reaching over 10 percent growth is indeed feasible, emphasizing that her confidence is well-founded rather than merely an attempt to boost morale. She pointed to the remarkable growth of startups since 2015, asserting that these emerging businesses could contribute significantly to the economy in the forthcoming years.\n\nThe finance minister underscored the necessity of dispelling cynicism and encouraging a more optimistic outlook among the populace. She criticized those who derive satisfaction from India's failure and urged people to adopt a positive mindset. Sitharaman believed that such negativity was detrimental and must be encouraged to change their perspectives.\n\nHighlighting the transformative role of technology in agriculture, Sitharaman detailed how technological advancements have revolutionized the sector by connecting farmers directly to markets and boosting productivity. She cited examples such as the use of technology to optimize harvesting processes, prepare land for subsequent crops, and employ drones and aerial geospatial instruments for precise land mapping, tasks previously accomplished manually.\n\nSitharaman also emphasized the adoption of point-of-sale (POS) machines in the distribution of fertilizers, underscoring their role in preventing theft. This system, still under pilot testing, records crucial information such as the farmer's details, the land's characteristics, and the type of crop being cultivated, thereby enabling farmers to receive recommendations on the appropriate quantity of fertilizers based on various environmental and soil conditions.\n\nThe minister stressed that while farmers would retain the option to purchase fertilizers independently, the POS technology would offer valuable insights into the optimal quantity needed for their crops. By leveraging such technological innovations, Sitharaman argued, India could minimize excessive use of pesticides and fertilizers, which currently pose significant threats to soil and water quality. She urged for the rapid dissemination of these technological solutions across sectors, emphasizing that their widespread adoption would not only enhance production efficiency but also contribute significantly to India's economic growth.",
  "summary": "Nirmala Sitharaman, the Union Finance Minister, radiated confidence in India's economic future, forecasting a growth rate surpassing 10 percent. She stressed the necessity of embracing technology and innovation in all sectors, celebrating the impact of startups since 2015. Furthermore, she emphasized technology's ability to revolutionize agriculture for increased productivity. The minister called…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Economic Times - Top News",
        "title": "FIIs unlikely to return in large numbers without new growth engines in India: Bernstein",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/26/fiis-unlikely-to-return-in-large-numbers-without-new-growth-engines",
        "published": "2026-09-26T06:33:37.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}