Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Thursday said that ensuring food security, improving farmers’ livelihoods and providing nutritious food to citizens remain the top priorities of the Central Government, as he addressed a press conference during the National Kharif Conference-2026 at the Pusa campus in New Delhi.
The two-day conference, being held on May 28 and 29 at the NASC Complex, Pusa, has brought together agriculture ministers, scientists, senior officials, representatives of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), and stakeholders from across the country to deliberate on strategies for the upcoming Kharif season.
Addressing the media, Shri Chouhan said the Government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been continuously working to strengthen the agriculture sector through coordinated planning, scientific innovation and active cooperation with states.
Describing the event as a platform for “Team Agriculture,” the Minister said the conference symbolises collective efforts between the Centre, states, scientists and farming communities. He stressed that since agriculture is a state subject, meaningful progress can only be achieved through partnership and coordination between all stakeholders.
The Minister said extensive discussions during the conference are focusing on preparations for Kharif and Rabi crops, availability of quality seeds, implementation of agricultural missions at the grassroots level and resolving state-specific challenges through practical solutions.
According to Shri Chouhan, virtual consultations with states were conducted prior to the conference, enabling states to arrive with detailed preparedness plans. He noted that earlier the conference was held for only one day, which limited the scope of discussions considering India’s agricultural diversity. The expanded two-day format now allows officials and ministers to hold in-depth deliberations in smaller groups.
Highlighting India’s geographical and climatic diversity, the Agriculture Minister announced that the government has expanded consultations beyond the national conference and has already organised regional agriculture conferences in Jaipur, Lucknow and Bhubaneswar. Two additional conferences for the North-East and southern India are expected to be held soon.
He said agricultural conditions vary significantly across regions, making regional-level consultations more practical and effective. The government is also considering organising conferences based on agro-climatic zones in future to formulate region-specific agricultural strategies.
Shri Chouhan also highlighted the strong performance of the agriculture sector during 2025-26, attributing the achievement to farmers’ hard work, government policies, scientific research and cooperation from states.
He announced that India’s estimated total foodgrain production for 2025-26 has reached a record 376.563 million tonnes, nearly 18.8 million tonnes higher than the previous year.
India has also achieved record rice production of 154.024 million tonnes, surpassing China to become the world’s leading rice producer. Wheat production has reached 120.657 million tonnes, while maize production has touched a record 55.092 million tonnes.
The Minister further stated that oilseed production has also witnessed significant growth. Total oilseed output is estimated at 43.059 million tonnes, with groundnut production reaching 13.074 million tonnes and rapeseed-mustard production climbing to 13.768 million tonnes — both record figures.
Shri Chouhan said separate national missions for pulses and oilseeds are being implemented, with discussions focusing on seed quality improvement, higher seed replacement rates, demonstration projects and expansion of processing infrastructure.
Climate change emerged as another key area of concern during the conference. The Minister said rising temperatures, erratic rainfall and prolonged dry spells are creating serious challenges for agriculture, making it essential to adopt sustainable and climate-resilient farming practices.
He added that discussions are also being held on natural farming, Soil Health Cards, balanced fertiliser use and integrated farming models aimed at improving the income of small and marginal farmers.
The conference is further reviewing issues related to agricultural credit, Kisan Credit Cards, Agriculture Infrastructure Fund, PM-AASHA scheme, digital agriculture, Farmer ID and strengthening Farmer Producer Organisations.
Shri Chouhan said that detailed presentations on various agricultural themes will be made before state agriculture ministers on the final day of the conference, following which the Centre and states will jointly prepare a roadmap for the Kharif crop season.
He also informed that extensive discussions are being held on the ‘Khet Bachao Abhiyan’, with the Centre and states working together to achieve collectively agreed agricultural targets.
Author: Shivam
Shivam Dwivedi is a senior journalist with extensive experience in research-driven journalism, policy communication, and multi-platform storytelling. His areas of interest include international relations, defence, science & technology, education, urban development, agriculture, spirituality, and environmental sustainability. His work focuses on in-depth analysis, public discourse, and impactful narratives across governance and development sectors, with a strong commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Contact: [email protected]
