Chouhan Calls for ‘Team Agriculture’ to Make India a Global Food Basket, ‘Khet Bachao Abhiyan’ From October 22

Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has called for closer coordination between the Centre and states to strengthen India’s agricultural sector, improve farmers’ incomes and position the country as a major global food basket.

Addressing the second day of the National Agriculture Conference–Rabi Campaign 2026, Chouhan urged agriculture ministers and officials from states to work beyond political differences in the spirit of “Team Agriculture”.

“Governments and political parties come and go; parties are formed and dissolved, but the country and its farmers are eternal,” Chouhan said, according to a statement issued by the Press Information Bureau on Tuesday. He said the conference should focus on practical solutions to agricultural challenges and farmers’ interests rather than political considerations.

Union Ministers of State for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Ram Nath Thakur and Bhagirath Choudhary, Agriculture Secretary Atish Chandra, ICAR Director General M. L. Jat, senior central and state officials, scientists and representatives of agricultural institutions attended the conference.

Over Rs. 1,200 Crore Sanctioned for 10 States

At the conference, Chouhan handed over sanction letters worth more than Rs. 1,200 crore to 10 states under the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (PM-RKVY).

The allocations include Rs. 290 crore for West Bengal, Rs. 198 crore for Haryana, Rs. 181 crore for Chhattisgarh, Rs. 154 crore for Arunachal Pradesh, Rs. 114 crore for Bihar, Rs. 104 crore for Karnataka, Rs. 75 crore for Mizoram, Rs. 64 crore for Himachal Pradesh, Rs. 58 crore for Jharkhand and Rs. 43 crore for Punjab.

Chouhan said the Centre was not limiting itself to policy formulation and was also ensuring that states receive resources in time so that agricultural schemes can be implemented without delay.

Agriculture Growth Rate Rose to 4.5%

Highlighting the performance of the agriculture sector, Chouhan said the country’s agricultural growth rate had increased from 3% in 2015 to 4.5%.

He said the average annual increase in foodgrain production had more than doubled, from around 40 lakh tonnes earlier to 84 lakh tonnes a year.

According to the minister, rabi foodgrain production increased by 205 lakh tonnes between 2023-24 and 2025-26. He attributed the increase to the combined efforts of farmers, state agriculture departments, scientists and agricultural institutions.

Monthly Reviews With States

The Centre will introduce regular monthly virtual review meetings with states to strengthen cooperative federalism and monitor implementation of agricultural programmes, Chouhan said.

At the state level, a “State Agriculture Team” will bring together the agriculture minister, agriculture secretary, state agricultural universities, ICAR institutions, Krishi Vigyan Kendras, ATMA, Farmer Producer Organisations, progressive farmers, processors, exporters and nodal officers of the Union government.

At the district level, monthly meetings will involve district collectors, deputy directors of agriculture, ATMA, KVKs, ICAR scientists, bankers and farmers.

The move is intended to create a more coordinated mechanism for addressing agricultural issues and monitoring the implementation of government programmes.

Fixed Calendar for Kharif and Rabi Meetings

The minister also announced an annual calendar for pre-season agriculture interface meetings.

For the kharif campaign, district-level meetings will be held on May 10 and state-level meetings on May 17 every year. For the rabi campaign, district-level meetings will be held on September 10 and state-level meetings on September 17.

A separate one-day national meeting will also be organised on a common date, bringing together agriculture ministers, officials and agricultural scientists to discuss issues affecting farmers.

‘Khet Bachao Abhiyan’ From October 22

Chouhan announced a nationwide “Khet Bachao Abhiyan” from October 22 to November 30, with a focus on soil health and environmental sustainability.

The campaign will promote balanced fertiliser use based on Soil Health Cards and seek to protect soil fertility and beneficial insects. Scientists and other agricultural stakeholders will participate in the campaign.

The minister also called for greater cultivation of pulses in rice fallow areas of eastern India, particularly Jharkhand, Bihar, Odisha and West Bengal, after the paddy harvest.

For the ongoing rabi season, Chouhan directed states to base crop and improved seed recommendations on soil moisture and water availability.

He asked states to strengthen arrangements for protecting crops against pests and diseases, ensure that all eligible farmers are covered under Kisan Credit Cards, and conduct transparent Crop Cutting Experiments under the crop insurance scheme.

He also urged state agriculture ministers to personally review the implementation of departmental schemes regularly.

Action Against Spurious Seeds and Fertilisers

Chouhan said the availability of seeds and fertilisers was adequate and directed states to take strict legal action against fake fertilisers, spurious seeds and sub-standard pesticides.

He also called for the complete elimination of forced tagging of agricultural inputs.

To make agriculture more sustainable and remunerative, the minister urged states to promote natural farming, integrated farming systems and crop diversification in “mission mode”.

Government Targets Global Markets

The minister said the government was pursuing a multi-pronged strategy to ensure remunerative prices for farmers. This includes strengthening post-harvest management, scientific warehousing and agricultural marketing systems.

He said the government would undertake 100% assured procurement of tur, urad and masoor at the minimum support price (MSP), with arrangements for payments to farmers within 48 hours.

Chouhan also stressed the potential of international Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) to open new markets for Indian agricultural products.

He said India should use these opportunities to connect its agricultural produce, including fruits, vegetables and foodgrains, with global markets. According to the minister, expanding such market access could help farmers secure better returns while supporting India’s ambition to emerge as a major global “food basket”.