New Delhi, 28 September (H.S.): Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Monday said that the goals of food security and higher farmers’ incomes could no longer be achieved through conventional approaches, but would require data-driven planning and close Centre-State cooperation. He said climate change, erratic rainfall and water scarcity posed major challenges to agriculture.

Chouhan called upon states to complete preparations for the Rabi season through effective coordination, scientific planning and robust field-level monitoring. He was speaking at the inaugural session of the two-day National Conference on Agriculture for Rabi Campaign 2026, organised at the C. Subramaniam Auditorium of the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare at Pusa, New Delhi.

The Union Agriculture Minister described the “water budget” as the most important parameter in planning for the Rabi season. He said every state and district would have to assess the quantity of water available for irrigation. Given the limited availability of water, crop selection must be aligned with local water resources. Areas facing water shortages should give priority to less water-intensive crops such as pulses and oilseeds, while other crops could be planned in areas with adequate irrigation facilities.

He said rainfall at present was below normal, but not so deficient as to have a severe impact on overall water availability. However, he noted that water scarcity remained a matter of concern in some states. He urged the states to plan the Rabi season carefully and, particularly in water-stressed areas, assess available water resources and soil moisture and make arrangements for irrigation water well in advance.

He cautioned that crop planning should not be based on parameters that require excessive water when adequate water may not subsequently be available, as this could result in crop losses. He stressed that preparations could not be delayed as the country was now approaching the Rabi sowing season. In rainfed areas, he said, soil moisture and water availability were particularly critical for determining crop choices and ensuring successful cultivation.

Maharashtra, Karnataka Face Drought Concerns; Centre to Conduct Ground Assessment

Expressing concern over the serious drought situation in Maharashtra and Karnataka, Chouhan said nearly two-thirds of Maharashtra’s area had been affected and that the state government had already declared a drought. Karnataka, too, was facing drought-like conditions.

He assured that a Central team would conduct a ground-level assessment of the drought situation in Karnataka on October 3, while a Central team would also be sent to Maharashtra. He said he would personally visit the affected states along with his team. He added that, under the leadership and guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Central Government stood firmly with farmers during the difficult situation.

Conference Context and Action Plan Ahead

On the first day of the conference, three rounds of thematic group discussions are being held on issues including self-reliance and diversification; sustainability and climate-resilient agriculture; and digital agriculture, infrastructure, financing and risk management.

On the second day, September 29, Chouhan will chair detailed deliberations with Agriculture Ministers from all states. Discussions will cover weather forecasts for the Rabi season, availability of fertilisers, the Digital Agriculture Mission, Farmer Registry, missions for pulses and edible oils, the PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana, marketing reforms, and the preparation of programmes through ATMA and KVKs.

The concluding session will present the key outcomes of the deliberations and formulate a comprehensive action plan aimed at increasing Rabi crop production, empowering farmers and advancing the vision of an “Aatmanirbhar and Viksit Bharat”.

The conference was attended by Union Ministers of State for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Ram Nath Thakur and Bhagirath Choudhary, Agriculture Secretary Atish Chandra, and Dr. Mangi Lal Jat, Secretary of the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) and Director General of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), along with senior officials from the Centre and the states.

Principal Secretaries and Director-level officials from state Agriculture Departments, vice-chancellors of state agricultural universities, heads of ICAR institutes, and representatives of Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), Agricultural Technology Management Agencies (ATMAs) and other stakeholders also participated in the conference.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar