Union Minister Shivraj Chouhan Launches Rabi Campaign 2026 with Strategic Focus
Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan inaugurated the two-day National Agriculture Conference - Rabi Campaign 2026 at the Bharat Ratna C. Subramaniam Auditorium in New Delhi, calling for data-driven planning and scientific monitoring for the upcoming Rabi season. The conference was attended by Union Ministers of State Shri Ram Nath Thakur and Shri Bhagirath Choudhary, Secretary of Agriculture Shri Atish Chandra, ICAR Director General Dr. M.L. Jat, along with senior officials from Centre and States, Principal Secretaries and Directors of Agriculture, Vice-Chancellors of State Agricultural Universities, and representatives of KVKs and ATMA.
Water-Based Crop Planning and Drought Assessment
Shri Chouhan identified water budget as the critical parameter for Rabi planning, directing every State and district to assess available irrigation water before finalizing crop plans. Areas with limited water availability should prioritize less water-intensive crops like pulses and oilseeds, while areas with assured irrigation can plan other crops accordingly. The Minister expressed concern over drought conditions in Maharashtra and Karnataka, noting that nearly two-thirds of Maharashtra has been affected with the state declaring drought, while Karnataka faces drought-like conditions. Central teams will undertake ground assessment in Karnataka on October 3, with another team scheduled for Maharashtra, and the Minister pledged personal visits to affected states.
Production Strategy: Pulses, Oilseeds and Input Management
The campaign emphasizes pulses and oilseeds cultivation, particularly in areas remaining fallow after paddy cultivation, to achieve national self-reliance objectives. States must finalize their Rabi plans by September 29 indicating area under pulses and specific crops including chana, masoor, and mustard. Shri Chouhan stressed that seed availability is the most critical link, expressing concern that some states neither place seed demands timely nor lift required quantities, resulting in distribution delays. He called for complete roadmap covering seed demand, procurement, lifting and distribution, with scientific assessment of suitable varieties for different regions during the conference.
Procurement Assurance and Market Mechanisms
Procurement arrangements must be planned alongside production to ensure farmer confidence. If state governments cannot undertake timely procurement, Central nodal agencies NAFED and NCCF will undertake direct procurement from farmers, with states providing necessary support including mandi facilitation. The Centre has approved large-scale proposals for pulses and oilseeds procurement under the Price Support Scheme (PSS), and states must prepare complete procurement roadmap covering seed availability, distribution, production and market arrangements.
Fertilizer Management and Subsidy Framework
Shri Chouhan emphasized balanced fertilizer use, noting that excessive application raises cultivation costs and affects soil health. He urged states to extend the 'Khet Bachao Abhiyan' to Rabi season, citing southern states' experience where fertilizer use declined without affecting production. The Centre is currently spending approximately ₹2 lakh crore on fertilizer subsidy, with farmers receiving urea at ₹266 per bag and DAP at ₹1,350 per bag. Pilot initiatives based on Farmer ID are being implemented to strengthen distribution and prevent diversion and black marketing.
Digital Infrastructure and Credit Access
Around 9.54 crore farmer families are covered under PM-KISAN, but Kisan Credit Card coverage remains inadequate particularly among small and marginal farmers. States must identify low-coverage areas and examine banking-level bottlenecks to ensure timely credit access for agricultural investment. On Farmer ID and AgriStack, states were congratulated for progress but urged to complete remaining work faster, including land parcel-related work, while ensuring tenant farmers and those cultivating multiple locations are included in the framework.
Monitoring and Implementation Framework
Weekly monitoring in every state must cover crop conditions, sowing progress, germination, pest and disease attacks, and market prices to enable timely corrective action. The Ministry conducts weekly national-level reviews covering these parameters. The two-day conference will feature thematic group discussions covering self-reliance and diversification; sustainability and climate-resilient agriculture; and digital agriculture, infrastructure, financing and risk management. On September 29, detailed discussions with State Agriculture Ministers will cover weather outlook, fertilizer availability, Digital Agriculture Mission, Farmer Registry, pulses and edible oils missions, PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana, and marketing reforms.