Shivraj Singh Chouhan Calls for ‘Team Agriculture’ to Make India a Global Food Basket

On the second day of the National Agriculture Conference – Rabi Campaign 2026, Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan chaired a session attended by Agriculture Ministers and senior officials from various states. Addressing the gathering, Shri Chouhan said that under the leadership and guidance of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Centre and states must rise above party politics and work in the spirit of ‘Team Agriculture’ to ensure the country’s food security and improve farmers’ livelihoods. “Governments and political parties come and go; parties are formed and dissolved, but the country and its farmers are eternal,” he said, stressing that the platform was not about politics but about finding practical ways to improve agriculture and advance the interests of farmers. Shri Chouhan also highlighted that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, farmers’ interests have been accorded the highest priority in every major policy decision and international agreement. At the conference, Shri Chouhan handed over financial sanction letters worth more than ₹1200 crore to Agriculture Ministers of 10 states under the Prime Minister Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (PM-RKVY). Union Ministers of State for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Shri Ram Nath Thakur and Shri Bhagirath Choudhary, Agriculture Secretary Shri Atish Chandra, ICAR Director General Dr. M. L. Jat, along with senior officials from the Centre and states, scientists and representatives of various agricultural institutions, were present at the conference.

More than ₹ 1200 crore sanctioned to 10 states under PM-RKVY

Under PM-RKVY, sanction letters were distributed to 10 states, including ₹290 crore for West Bengal, ₹198 crore for Haryana, ₹181 crore for Chhattisgarh, ₹154 crore for Arunachal Pradesh, ₹114 crore for Bihar, ₹104 crore for Karnataka, ₹75 crore for Mizoram, ₹64 crore for Himachal Pradesh, ₹58 crore for Jharkhand and ₹43 crore for Punjab.

Shri Chouhan said the Union Government was not limiting itself to policy formulation, but was also ensuring timely availability of resources to states so that implementation of schemes could begin on the ground without delay.

Agriculture growth rate rises to 4.5 per cent

Highlighting the country’s agricultural performance, Shri Chouhan said that since 2015, the agriculture growth rate has increased from 3 per cent to 4.5 per cent. The average annual increase in foodgrain production has also more than doubled, rising from around 40 lakh tonnes earlier to 84 lakh tonnes per year. He further noted that in just two years, from 2023-24 to 2025-26, rabi foodgrain production recorded an unprecedented increase of 205 lakh tonnes. He attributed this historic growth to the collective efforts of state agriculture departments, scientists and farmers.

Monthly virtual reviews with states to strengthen cooperative federalism

Announcing a new mechanism to further strengthen cooperative federalism, Shri Chouhan said that, on the lines of weekly reviews conducted at the Centre, regular monthly virtual review meetings with states would now be held to continuously assess progress. At the state level, a strong State Agriculture Team will be constituted by bringing together the Agriculture Minister, Agriculture Secretary, state agricultural universities, ICAR institutions, Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), ATMA, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), progressive farmers, processors, exporters and nodal officers of the Government of India. At the district level, monthly meetings will be held involving the Collector, Deputy Director of Agriculture (DDA), ATMA, KVKs, ICAR scientists, bankers and farmers.

Annual calendar for pre-season agriculture interface meetings

To ensure advance preparation for agricultural campaigns, Shri Chouhan announced an annual calendar for interface meetings. For the Kharif campaign, district-level meetings will be held on May 10 and state-level meetings on May 17 every year. Similarly, for the Rabi campaign, district-level meetings will be held on September 10 and state-level meetings on September 17 every year. In addition, a one-day special meeting will be organised across the country on a common date, bringing together Agriculture Ministers, officials and agricultural scientists simultaneously to discuss issues concerning farmers.

‘Khet Bachao Abhiyan’ from October 22 to November 30

Emphasising the need to protect soil health and the environment, Shri Chouhan called for a nationwide ‘Khet Bachao Abhiyan’ from October 22 to November 30 this year. Scientists and all key stakeholders will actively participate in the campaign. Based on Soil Health Cards, the campaign will promote balanced use of fertilisers to protect soil fertility and beneficial insects. He also called for large-scale promotion of pulse cultivation in rice fallow areas of eastern India, particularly in Jharkhand, Bihar, Odisha and West Bengal, after the paddy harvest.

Rabi preparations to focus on soil moisture, water availability and crop protection

As part of preparations for the current rabi season, Shri Chouhan stressed that recommendations on crops and improved seeds should be based on soil moisture and water availability. He directed states to put in place effective arrangements to protect crops from diseases and pests, ensure saturation of all eligible farmers with Kisan Credit Cards (KCCs) and conduct transparent Crop Cutting Experiments (CCEs) under the crop insurance scheme. He also emphasised that state ministers should personally undertake regular reviews of the implementation of departmental schemes.

Strict action against spurious inputs, end to forced tagging

Stating that the availability of seeds and fertilisers in the country is adequate, Shri Chouhan directed states to take strict legal action against fake fertilisers, spurious seeds and sub-standard pesticides. He also directed that forced tagging be completely eliminated. Calling for agriculture to become more sustainable and remunerative, he urged states to adopt natural farming, integrated farming systems and crop diversification in mission mode.

Government working on multi-pronged strategy to ensure remunerative prices for farmers

Shri Chouhan said the government is pursuing a multi-dimensional strategy to ensure that farmers receive fair and remunerative prices for their produce. The strategy includes strengthening post-harvest management, scientific warehousing and marketing systems. He said that 100 per cent assured government procurement of tur, urad and masoor at MSP would be undertaken, with arrangements for payment within 48 hours. In line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision, he said India would also leverage the new market opportunities emerging from international Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) to connect Indian agricultural products, fruits, vegetables and foodgrains with global markets. This, he said, would help farmers secure better returns for their produce and enable India to emerge as a major ‘food basket’ for the world.