Chouhan Calls for Team Agriculture to Make India Global Food Basket
Centre and states urged to work beyond political lines as ₹1,200 crore PM-RKVY support is sanctioned to 10 states
- ₹1,200 crore PM-RKVY support sanctioned to 10 states.
- Chouhan calls for a nationwide ‘Team Agriculture’ approach.
- ‘Khet Bachao Abhiyan’ to run from October 22 to November 30.
- India seeks greater global market access for farm produce.
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 29th Sept: Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Tuesday called for stronger Centre-State coordination and a collective ‘Team Agriculture’ approach to strengthen food security, improve farm incomes and make India a major global food supplier.
Addressing the second day of the National Agriculture Conference – Rabi Campaign 2026, Chouhan said governments and political parties may change, but farmers and the country remain permanent priorities.
“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 conference should focus on practical solutions for the agriculture sector.
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 officials, scientists and representatives of agricultural institutions attended the conference.
₹1,200 Crore PM-RKVY Support for 10 States
At the conference, Chouhan handed over sanction letters worth more than ₹1,200 crore under the Prime Minister Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (PM-RKVY) to 10 states.
The allocations include ₹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.
Chouhan said the Centre would continue to ensure timely availability of resources so states can implement agricultural schemes without delay.
Agriculture Growth Rate Reaches 4.5%
Highlighting agricultural performance, Chouhan said the sector’s growth rate has risen from 3% in 2015 to 4.5%.
He said the average annual increase in foodgrain production has more than doubled from around 40 lakh tonnes earlier to 84 lakh tonnes per year. Rabi foodgrain production also increased by 205 lakh tonnes between 2023-24 and 2025-26, according to the figures cited by the minister.
Monthly Reviews to Strengthen Centre-State Coordination
Chouhan announced monthly virtual review meetings with states to assess agricultural programmes and preparedness.
At the state level, Agriculture Ministers and Secretaries will work with agricultural universities, ICAR institutions, KVKs, ATMA, FPOs, progressive farmers, processors, exporters and Central government nodal officers.
District-level monthly meetings will involve Collectors, agriculture officials, ATMA, KVKs, ICAR scientists, bankers and farmers.
An annual calendar for pre-season meetings was also announced. District-level Kharif meetings will be held on May 10 and state-level meetings on May 17, while Rabi meetings will be held on September 10 and September 17 respectively.
‘Khet Bachao Abhiyan’ From October 22
Chouhan announced a nationwide ‘Khet Bachao Abhiyan’ from October 22 to November 30, focusing on soil health and balanced fertiliser use.
The campaign will use Soil Health Cards to promote appropriate fertiliser application and protect soil fertility and beneficial organisms. States were also urged to promote pulses in rice-fallow areas of Jharkhand, Bihar, Odisha and West Bengal after the paddy harvest.
For the ongoing Rabi season, Chouhan called for crop and seed selection based on soil moisture and water availability. He also stressed crop protection measures, wider Kisan Credit Card coverage and transparent Crop Cutting Experiments under crop insurance schemes.
States Told to Act Against Spurious Farm Inputs
The Agriculture Minister said the country has adequate stocks of seeds and fertilisers and directed states to take strict legal action against fake fertilisers, spurious seeds and sub-standard pesticides.
He also called for an end to forced tagging and urged states to promote natural farming, integrated farming systems and crop diversification.
Government Targets Better Returns for Farmers
Chouhan said the government is pursuing a multi-pronged strategy to improve farmers’ returns through better post-harvest management, scientific warehousing and stronger marketing systems.
He said 100% assured government procurement of tur, urad and masoor at MSP would be undertaken, with payment arrangements targeted within 48 hours.
He also said India would seek to use opportunities created by international Free Trade Agreements to expand access for Indian agricultural products, including fruits, vegetables and foodgrains, in global markets.
