The Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan addressed a press conference on Kharif Conclave-2026 at Pusa Complex in New Delhi today. The Union Agriculture Minister said that ensuring food security in the country, improving farmers’ livelihood and providing nutritious food to the countrymen is the top priority of the Union Government.

He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Union Government is continuously working to strengthen the agriculture sector. The Agriculture Conclave on National Kharif Campaign-2026 is being organised at NASC Complex, Pusa, New Delhi on 28th and 29th May 2026.  Agriculture Ministers, Scientists and senior officials from across the country will attend the Conclave.  Representatives from ICAR, States and UTs will also participate in the important brainstorming. Preparations for the Kharif season will be discussed and reviewed in detail for two days. Our objective is that farmers get better planning, better technology and better support.

Team Agriculture at Kharif Conclave

Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that our Kharif Conclave has started and today the entire 'Team Agriculture' is present here. Team Agriculture means not only the central government, but also the state governments, scientists of ICAR, officers of the central and state governments, FPO representatives and think-tank groups on farming. He said that agriculture is a state subject and better results come from the states only while the central government plays a supporting role. He informed that extensive discussions are being held in the conclave on preparation of Kharif and Rabi crops, availability of suitable seeds for sowing and effective delivery of agriculture missions to the ground. The Union Agriculture Minister informed that prior to the conference, virtual meetings were held with the states to discuss various topics in detail. Taking cue from these discussions, the states are participating in the conclave with their preparations. He said that the problems faced by the states need to be seriously discussed and resolved. Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that earlier this conclave used to be only one day affair. But for such a large country, it is not possible to discuss all issues in just one day. So on the first day, the officers will sit in groups and discuss in detail with different states and on the second day, the agriculture ministers of the states will also join the brainstorming.

Farming varies in every state, hence discussions at the regional level

Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that our country is very big, therefore this time not only the National Conclave on Agriculture is being held, but we have also started regional conferences. So far, three regional conferences have already been held at Jaipur, Lucknow and Bhubaneswar. Besides, two more such conferences will be held in North-East and South India. The dates of these two conferences will be decided soon. Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that farming and climatic conditions vary state by states. In such a situation, discussions at the regional level prove to be more practical and effective. He said that when discussions are held with the states in small groups, the problems and needs of each state can be discussed in detail. The Union Agriculture Minister informed that an idea of conducting regional conferences based on agro-climatic zones in future are also being discussed. He said that as per the ICAR classification, the country can be broadly divided into eight agro-climatic zones. We are trying to organise regional conferences on the basis of these eight zones instead of five so that the schemes and strategies related to agriculture can reach the grassroots in an effective manner. He also informed that a detailed presentation on the Kharif Conclave has also been prepared where various agricultural topics will be discussed in detail.

 

New record in wheat, rice, maize and oilseeds production

Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that due to the hard work of our farmers and the policies of the Central Government under the leadership of the Prime Minister, the research of the scientists and the cooperation of the states, this year India has broken all the old records of foodgrain production. As the Agriculture Minister, I am satisfied to say that due to the hard work of the farmers, the schemes of Union Govt and the new developed seed varieties, the country has broken all records of foodgrain production this time. Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that in the year 2025-26, the total estimated foodgrain production of the country has reached 3, 765.63 lakh tonnes, which is about 188 lakh tonnes more than last year. India has set a new record in rice production. He said that rice production has reached 1,540.24 lakh tonnes and India is now number one in the world. We have even surpassed China. The production of wheat has been recorded at 1, 206.57 lakh tonnes and maize at 550.92 lakh tonnes, which is a record in itself. Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that the country has achieved great success not only in foodgrains, but also in oilseeds production. The expected oilseeds production this year is estimated at 430.59 lakh tonnes with groundnut production reaching 130.74 lakh tonnes and rapeseed-mustard production reaching 137.68 lakh tonnes, which is a record level. He said that pulses production has also registered an increase and there is a possibility of further increase in production in coming years. 

National Agriculture brainstorming on Kharif Strategy

The Union Minister said that separate missions have been created for pulses and oilseeds. Detailed discussions will be held on better seeds, increasing the seed replacement rate, demonstration and processing arrangements with the states. Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that the country is moving fast in the field of horticulture and the sector has immense potential. He said that Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture and Cotton Mission will also be discussed a the conclave. Terming climate change as a major challenge for the agriculture, the Union Agriculture Minister said that due to changing weather and erratic rainfall, the farming conditions are changing rapidly. The heat is constantly increasing. At times, there is excessive rain at once and then there are long intervals. Necessary steps to keep farming safe and sustainable in such an environment will also be discussed. He informed that the conclave will have special focus on topics like natural farming, soil health card and balanced use of fertilizers. He said that many farmers resort to excessive use of fertilizers due to lack of information. Hence, it’s necessary to promote balanced use. Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that integrated farming model will also be discussed to increase the income of small and marginal farmers. Farms in our country are small in size. Therefore, we will consider how farmers can earn more profit from less land. Adequate funding for agriculture is also necessary. Farmers need crop production as well as post-harvest management and protection from risk. There is still a disparity among states in the distribution of agricultural credit. Farm credit is very low in some states and high in others. If farmers have KCC and capital for investment, they will be able to do better farming. The Union Agriculture Minister informed that topics like Agri Infra Fund, PM-AASHA Yojana, Digital Agriculture, Farmer ID and strengthening of FPOs will also be discussed at the conclave. The states have been divided into different groups, where brainstorming on various issues will take place throughout the day. Next day, presentations will be made on various topics in the presence of State Agriculture Ministers and a joint agricultural roadmap of the country and the States for the Kharif crop will be prepared. Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan informed that "Khet Bachao Abhiyan" will also be discussed extensively at the conclave. He said that the Central and State Governments will make coordinated efforts to meet the set targets.

 

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