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Chouhan calls for coordinated planning for Rabi season
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Wednesday, 30 September, 2026, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
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Our Bureau, Mumbai
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Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan has called upon States to complete preparations for the Rabi 2026 season through coordinated planning, scientific assessment and close field-level monitoring.
Addressing the two-day National Agriculture Conference – Rabi Campaign 2026 in New Delhi, Chouhan said changing weather patterns, erratic rainfall and water constraints require data-driven agricultural planning and stronger Centre-State coordination to ensure food security and improve farm incomes.
The conference, organised by the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, brought together senior officials from the Centre and States, ICAR scientists, State Agricultural Universities, Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), ATMA and other stakeholders.
Chouhan identified water budgeting as a key priority for Rabi planning and asked States and districts to assess irrigation availability and soil moisture before finalising crop plans. Areas facing water constraints should prioritise less water-intensive crops such as pulses and oilseeds, while assured-irrigation regions can plan other crops.
Expressing concern over drought conditions in Maharashtra and Karnataka, he said Central teams would undertake ground assessments in the two States. He also called for separate crop strategies for rainfed and irrigated regions in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, with timely sowing and advance irrigation planning.
Chouhan described seed availability as a critical component of Rabi preparedness and asked States to finalise region-specific varieties based on agro-climatic conditions. He called for a roadmap covering seed demand, procurement, lifting and distribution to ensure that quality seeds reach farmers before the sowing window.
The Minister also urged States to expand the cultivation of pulses and oilseeds, particularly in areas that remain fallow after paddy. States have been asked to finalise their Rabi plans, including targets for crops such as chana, masoor and mustard.
He stressed that production planning should be accompanied by assured procurement and market arrangements. NAFED and NCCF will undertake direct procurement from farmers where State governments are unable to complete procurement in time, under the Price Support Scheme (PSS).
Chouhan called for greater emphasis on balanced fertiliser application to reduce cultivation costs and protect soil health. He urged States to extend the ‘Khet Bachao Abhiyan’, launched during the Kharif season, into Rabi and promote scientific fertiliser use among farmers.
He also stressed timely availability and distribution of fertilisers and referred to pilot initiatives using Farmer ID to strengthen distribution and prevent diversion and black marketing. The Centre is spending around Rs 2 lakh crore on fertiliser subsidy, while farmers continue to receive fertilisers at subsidised prices, including urea at Rs 266 per bag and DAP at Rs 1,350 per bag, he said.
The Minister said the growing adoption of natural farming needs to be supported by stronger branding, certification and market linkages. Citing initiatives in Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh, he said State-level brands can help natural farming products gain market recognition and better prices.
Chouhan also highlighted the need to expand Kisan Credit Card coverage, particularly among small and marginal farmers. States were asked to identify areas with low KCC penetration and address bottlenecks in credit access.
On Farmer ID and AgriStack, he called for faster completion of the remaining work, including land parcel-related processes. Tenant farmers and those cultivating land at multiple locations should also be covered under the Farmer ID framework, he said.
The Minister further called for weekly monitoring of crop conditions, sowing progress, germination, pest and disease outbreaks and market prices to enable timely interventions.
Secretary, Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Atish Chandra, highlighted the need for agricultural diversification, sustainable farming and research-based practices amid changing weather patterns and uneven rainfall. He stressed initiatives such as ‘Per Drop More Crop’, soil health management, modern agricultural infrastructure, market mechanisms and digital agriculture.
Secretary, DARE and Director General, ICAR, Dr Mangi Lal Jat identified self-reliance, crop diversification, climate-resilient agriculture, digital agriculture and risk mitigation as key priorities for Rabi 2026. He emphasised greater production of pulses and oilseeds, particularly through crop diversification in rice-fallow areas.
According to Dr Jat, a comprehensive technology package covering crop and variety selection, quality seeds, mechanisation, biological solutions and seed treatment will be required. Large-scale demonstrations of green ammonia are also planned across 10,000 acres in 37 districts of six States during the upcoming season.
The conference will also deliberate on self-reliance and diversification, sustainability and climate resilience, digital agriculture, infrastructure, financing and risk management.
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