As India gears up for the Kharif 2026 season, the Centre has called for a renewed focus on farmer welfare, efficient governance and scientific farming practices. Chairing the National Agriculture Conference–Kharif Campaign 2026 at Pusa in New Delhi on May 29, Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan urged states to remove bureaucratic hurdles and ensure that government schemes translate into tangible benefits for farmers.
The conference, organised by the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, brought together agriculture ministers from various states, senior officials, agricultural scientists, experts and progressive farmers from across the country. Describing the gathering as a true “Team India” platform, Chouhan said cooperation between the Centre, states, research institutions and farmers would be crucial to achieving India’s agricultural goals.
‘Rules must serve farmers’
Delivering one of the strongest messages of the conference, Chouhan said agricultural governance should be centred on the needs of farmers rather than administrative procedures.
“Farmers are not meant to serve rules; rules must serve farmers,” he remarked, stressing that policies must be implemented with speed, efficiency and sensitivity.
The Minister noted that while governments formulate numerous schemes for the welfare of cultivators, their effectiveness depends on smooth implementation at the grassroots level. He called upon officials to reduce unnecessary procedural delays and ensure that farmers receive timely access to services, subsidies and support systems.
According to Chouhan, the true success of any agricultural programme should be measured by how effectively it improves productivity, strengthens rural livelihoods and raises farmers’ incomes.
India records historic foodgrain production
Highlighting the strength of India’s agricultural sector, Chouhan announced that the country has achieved record foodgrain production of nearly 376.56 million tonnes, according to the third advance estimates.
He credited the achievement to the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the hard work of India’s farmers, advancements in agricultural research and the active cooperation of state governments.
India has emerged as a global leader in rice production while also recording significant growth in wheat, maize, pulses and oilseeds. The achievement assumes greater importance at a time when many countries continue to face food security challenges due to climate-related disruptions and geopolitical uncertainties.
The Minister said India’s success demonstrates the resilience of its agricultural sector and the effectiveness of sustained investments in farming, irrigation, research and rural infrastructure.
Agriculture is the foundation of national prosperity
Despite the record output, Chouhan cautioned against complacency and said the country must continue working towards food security, nutritional security and higher farm incomes.
“Agriculture is not just about production. It is the lifeline of the nation,” he said.
He stressed that the future of Indian agriculture must focus not only on increasing output but also on sustainability, climate resilience and profitability. Strengthening the agricultural sector, he said, remains essential for ensuring economic stability and rural prosperity.
Push for self-reliance in pulses, oilseeds and cotton
The Union Minister urged states to closely monitor the implementation of key national programmes such as the Pulses Mission, Oilseeds Mission and Cotton Mission.
India continues to import significant quantities of edible oils and some pulse varieties. Chouhan said increasing domestic production in these sectors is essential for reducing import dependence and strengthening farmers’ incomes.
He encouraged states to identify region-specific opportunities, promote suitable crop varieties and improve extension services to ensure the success of these missions.
At the same time, he called upon scientists to undertake practical and demand-driven research that addresses challenges faced by farmers in different agro-climatic regions.
Scientists asked to develop climate-resilient crop varieties
With changing weather patterns posing new risks to agriculture, Chouhan urged scientists to focus on developing short-duration and climate-resilient crop varieties.
Such varieties can help farmers adapt to delayed monsoons, erratic rainfall and other climate-related challenges while maintaining productivity.
The Minister said scientific research should directly address field-level problems and contribute to increasing farm profitability. Innovations in seeds, irrigation technologies and crop management practices, he noted, would play a critical role in shaping the future of Indian agriculture.
Raising concerns about seed availability, Chouhan observed that farmers often fail to receive quality seeds on time despite adequate national stock.
He directed states to strengthen seed distribution mechanisms, ensure timely lifting of breeder seeds and prevent the circulation of poor-quality or counterfeit seeds.
The Minister emphasised that timely access to quality seeds remains one of the most important factors influencing agricultural productivity and crop outcomes.
To improve preparedness, he also informed participants that a national seed reserve mechanism has been established to ensure rapid seed supply during emergencies and natural calamities.
Khet Bachao Abhiyan to focus on Soil Health
A major highlight of the conference was the announcement of the month-long “Khet Bachao Abhiyan”, which will be conducted from June 1 to June 30.
The campaign aims to create awareness about soil health, balanced fertiliser usage, quality seeds, scientific pesticide management, Kisan Credit Cards and modern agricultural technologies.
Under the initiative, public representatives, agricultural scientists, officials and farmers will jointly participate in outreach programmes across the country.
The campaign reflects the government’s growing emphasis on sustainable agriculture and the long-term preservation of soil fertility.
Soil Health cards and balanced fertiliser use
Chouhan stressed the importance of Soil Health Cards and balanced nutrient management, saying these initiatives must be effectively implemented at the grassroots level rather than remaining confined to paperwork.
He warned that excessive or imbalanced fertiliser use can damage soil quality, increase production costs and adversely affect long-term agricultural sustainability.
The Minister urged states to intensify awareness campaigns and ensure that farmers adopt scientific nutrient management practices.
The Union Minister also raised concerns regarding irregularities in fertiliser distribution.
He called for complete transparency in the system and warned against black marketing and misuse of subsidised fertilisers.
According to Chouhan, ensuring that subsidised fertilisers reach genuine farmers is critical for maintaining trust in government support programmes and protecting the interests of cultivators.
Improving access to farm credit
Recognising the importance of affordable credit, Chouhan said timely access to agricultural loans remains essential for profitable farming.
While acknowledging progress in agricultural lending, he noted that eastern and northeastern states continue to lag behind in credit flow and Kisan Credit Card coverage.
The Minister announced that the Centre would soon engage with banks and financial institutions to improve agricultural credit delivery and expand financial inclusion among farmers.
Better access to credit, he said, would enable farmers to invest in quality inputs, modern technologies and improved cultivation practices.
Taking a strong stand against counterfeit agricultural products, Chouhan described fake seeds, substandard pesticides and defective agricultural inputs as a threat to both farmers and the nation.
“Those selling counterfeit agricultural products are not merely committing economic offences, but harming the nation’s farmers,” he said.
He directed states to intensify inspections, strengthen laboratory testing facilities and ensure strict legal action against offenders.
The Minister stressed that protecting farmers from fraudulent products is essential for maintaining agricultural productivity and preventing financial losses.
Timely crop insurance claims must be ensured
Crop insurance was another major issue discussed during the conference.
Chouhan emphasised that farmers must receive compensation without delays and warned that accountability would be fixed where banks, insurance companies or government agencies fail to process claims on time.
For farmers affected by floods, droughts, pest attacks or other natural calamities, timely compensation can make the difference between recovery and financial distress.
The Minister also highlighted the role of Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), Krishi Vigyan Kendras and agricultural universities in transforming Indian agriculture.
He said these institutions serve as vital links between scientific research and farming communities, helping farmers adopt modern technologies and improve productivity.
Strengthening these networks, he added, would accelerate innovation and improve market access for farmers.
A roadmap for sustainable agricultural growth
Calling for state-specific agricultural roadmaps, Chouhan said every state should formulate strategies based on its unique agro-climatic conditions, cropping patterns and available resources.
He assured states of full support from the Centre and scientific institutions in achieving agricultural growth targets and improving farmers’ livelihoods.
Concluding the conference, the Union Minister expressed confidence that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, India would continue to set new benchmarks in foodgrain, pulse, oilseed, fruit and vegetable production.
As preparations for the Kharif 2026 season gather pace, the Centre’s message is clear: agricultural growth must go hand in hand with farmer welfare, scientific innovation and efficient governance to ensure a prosperous future for India’s farming community.
