Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan chaired the National Agriculture Conference - Rabi Campaign 2026, announcing significant financial allocations and policy initiatives. The Minister sanctioned over ₹1200 crore under the Prime Minister Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (PM-RKVY) to 10 states, with specific allocations including ₹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.
Shri Chouhan highlighted substantial improvements in agricultural performance, noting that the agriculture growth rate has increased from 3% to 4.5% since 2015. The average annual increase in foodgrain production has more than doubled from approximately 40 lakh tonnes to 84 lakh tonnes per year. Specifically, rabi foodgrain production recorded an unprecedented increase of 205 lakh tonnes between 2023-24 and 2025-26.
The Minister announced new coordination mechanisms including monthly virtual review meetings with states to strengthen cooperative federalism. At the state level, comprehensive Agriculture Teams will be formed comprising Agriculture Ministers, officials, agricultural universities, ICAR institutions, KVKs, ATMAs, FPOs, progressive farmers, processors, exporters, and central government nodal officers. District-level monthly meetings will involve Collectors, Deputy Directors of Agriculture, ATMAs, KVKs, ICAR scientists, bankers, and farmers.
An annual calendar for pre-season agriculture interface meetings was established, with district-level Kharif meetings scheduled for May 10 and state-level meetings on May 17 annually. For Rabi campaigns, district meetings will occur on September 10 and state meetings on September 17 annually, plus a nationwide simultaneous meeting of all stakeholders.
A nationwide 'Khet Bachao Abhiyan' (Save Farms Campaign) will run from October 22 to November 30, 2026, focusing on soil health protection through balanced fertilizer use based on Soil Health Cards and promoting pulse cultivation in rice fallow areas of eastern India, particularly Jharkhand, Bihar, Odisha, and West Bengal.
For the current rabi season, preparations will focus on soil moisture, water availability, crop protection from diseases and pests, saturation of Kisan Credit Cards for eligible farmers, and transparent Crop Cutting Experiments under crop insurance schemes. States were directed to take strict legal action against fake fertilizers, spurious seeds, and sub-standard pesticides while eliminating forced tagging practices.
The government is implementing a multi-pronged strategy to ensure remunerative prices for farmers, including strengthening post-harvest management, scientific warehousing, and marketing systems. There will be 100% assured government procurement of tur, urad, and masoor at MSP with arrangements for payment within 48 hours. India will leverage Free Trade Agreements to connect agricultural products with global markets, positioning the country as a major global food basket.