**Executive Summary**
The Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, addressed the National Kharif Conclave-2026 held on May 28–29, 2026, in New Delhi. The event focused on coordinating a new agricultural roadmap between central and state governments to ensure food security and improve farmer livelihoods. Key priorities include achieving self-reliance in pulses and oilseeds and addressing climate change through regional, zone-based strategies.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Production Achievements and Records**
* India has achieved a historic foodgrain production of 3,765.63 lakh tonnes, an increase of 188 lakh tonnes over the previous year.
* The country is now the world’s leading producer of rice, surpassing China, with a total production of 1,540.24 lakh tonnes.
* Record productions were also noted for wheat (1,206.57 lakh tonnes), maize (550.92 lakh tonnes), and oilseeds (430.59 lakh tonnes).
**Regional Strategy and Governance**
* Agriculture planning is shifting to a regional level to account for varying climatic conditions across states.
* The government plans to organize future conferences based on eight agro-climatic zones identified by ICAR, rather than just five regions.
* The "Team Agriculture" approach emphasizes that while the central government provides support and missions, the states are primarily responsible for grassroots implementation.
**Sectoral Priorities and Missions**
* Top priority is being given to achieving self-reliance in pulses and oilseeds through dedicated missions.
* Discussion topics included the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture, the Cotton Mission, and the "Khet Bachao Abhiyan."
* Focus remains on increasing the seed replacement rate and improving processing arrangements with states.
**Modernization and Sustainability**
* A new agricultural roadmap will integrate digital farming, including the creation of Farmer IDs.
* Sustainable practices such as natural farming, the use of Soil Health Cards, and balanced fertilizer use are being promoted to combat climate change.
* Integrated farming models are being developed to help small and marginal farmers earn more profit from smaller landholdings.
**Financial and Infrastructure Support**
* The conclave addressed the disparity in agricultural credit distribution across different states.
* Key schemes under review include the Agri Infra Fund, PM-AASHA Yojana, and the strengthening of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs).
**Impact Analysis**
**State Governments and Union Territories**
**Impact**
States are recognized as the primary executors of agricultural strategy. They face increased responsibility to adapt national missions to local agro-climatic conditions.
**Action Required**
Participate in regional-level brainstorming sessions, coordinate with the Centre on seed delivery, and work to resolve state-specific disparities in agricultural credit.
**Farmers (Small and Marginal)**
**Impact**
Farmers stand to benefit from better technology, improved seed varieties, and higher income potential through integrated farming models.
**Action Required**
Adopt balanced fertilizer use based on Soil Health Cards, utilize Kisan Credit Cards (KCC) for investment, and engage with FPOs for better market support.
**ICAR and Agricultural Scientists**
**Impact**
Scientific research is credited for record-breaking yields. There is a continued demand for research into climate-resilient seeds and digital farming solutions.
**Action Required**
Provide technical frameworks for the eight agro-climatic zones and continue developing high-yield, resilient seed varieties.
**Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs)**
**Impact**
FPOs are identified as critical entities for strengthening the agricultural ecosystem and post-harvest management.
**Action Required**
Engage in the strengthening programs discussed at the conclave to improve members' access to credit and infrastructure funds.
Key Entities Referenced
National Conference on Agriculture for Kharif Campaign-2026: Also known as the Kharif Conclave, this central event was organized to plan the agricultural roadmap, regional strategies, and mission-mode targets for the upcoming cropping season.
Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare: The primary Union Ministry responsible for organizing the conclave and overseeing the implementation of national agricultural policies and production targets.
Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan: The Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare who chaired the conclave and announced initiatives regarding regional farming models and self-reliance in pulses and oilseeds.
ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research): The premier scientific body providing technical support and the agro-climatic zone classification used to develop regional agricultural strategies.
PM-AASHA Yojana: A key government scheme discussed at the conclave intended to ensure remunerative prices and income protection for farmers.
Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
Centre's preparations for Kharif crops in full
swing; Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj
Singh Chouhan addresses a press conference
Team Agriculture at Kharif Conclave; farming will get a new
direction – Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan
Every state has a different model of farming, hence the
strategy is being made at the regional level - Shri Shivraj
Singh
Foodgrain production exceeds 3,765 lakh tonnes, a historic
achievement: Union Agriculture Minister
India becomes world's No. 1 in rice production, surpasses
China: Shri Chouhan
Self-reliance in pulses and oilseeds is our top priority : Union
Minister Shri Chouhan
Right from climate change to digital farming, a new
agricultural roadmap will be made at the Kharif Conclave:
Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan
Posted On: 28 MAY 2026 7:24PM by PIB Delhi
The Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan addressed a press
conference on Kharif Conclave-2026 at Pusa Complex in New Delhi today. The Union Agriculture
Minister said that ensuring food security in the country, improving farmers’ livelihood and providing
nutritious food to the countrymen is the top priority of the Union Government.He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Union Government is
continuously working to strengthen the agriculture sector. The Agriculture Conclave on National Kharif
Campaign-2026 is being organised at NASC Complex, Pusa, New Delhi on 28th and 29th May 2026.
Agriculture Ministers, Scientists and senior officials from across the country will attend the Conclave.
Representatives from ICAR, States and UTs will also participate in the important brainstorming.
Preparations for the Kharif season will be discussed and reviewed in detail for two days. Our objective is
that farmers get better planning, better technology and better support.
Team Agriculture at Kharif Conclave
Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that our Kharif Conclave has started and today the entire
'Team Agriculture' is present here. Team Agriculture means not only the central government, but also the
state governments, scientists of ICAR, officers of the central and state governments, FPO representatives
and think-tank groups on farming. He said that agriculture is a state subject and better results come from
the states only while the central government plays a supporting role. He informed that extensive
discussions are being held in the conclave on preparation of Kharif and Rabi crops, availability of suitableseeds for sowing and effective delivery of agriculture missions to the ground. The Union Agriculture
Minister informed that prior to the conference, virtual meetings were held with the states to discuss
various topics in detail. Taking cue from these discussions, the states are participating in the conclave with
their preparations. He said that the problems faced by the states need to be seriously discussed and
resolved. Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that earlier this conclave used to be only one day affair. But for
such a large country, it is not possible to discuss all issues in just one day. So on the first day, the officers
will sit in groups and discuss in detail with different states and on the second day, the agriculture ministers
of the states will also join the brainstorming.
Farming varies in every state, hence discussions at the regional level
Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that our country is very big, therefore this
time not only the National Conclave on Agriculture is being held, but we have also started regional
conferences. So far, three regional conferences have already been held at Jaipur, Lucknow and
Bhubaneswar. Besides, two more such conferences will be held in North-East and South India. The dates
of these two conferences will be decided soon. Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that farming and climatic
conditions vary state by states. In such a situation, discussions at the regional level prove to be more
practical and effective. He said that when discussions are held with the states in small groups, the
problems and needs of each state can be discussed in detail. The Union Agriculture Minister informed that
an idea of conducting regional conferences based on agro-climatic zones in future are also being
discussed. He said that as per the ICAR classification, the country can be broadly divided into eight agro-
climatic zones. We are trying to organise regional conferences on the basis of these eight zones instead of
five so that the schemes and strategies related to agriculture can reach the grassroots in an effective
manner. He also informed that a detailed presentation on the Kharif Conclave has also been prepared
where various agricultural topics will be discussed in detail.New record in wheat, rice, maize and oilseeds production
Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that due to the hard work of our farmers and
the policies of the Central Government under the leadership of the Prime Minister, the research of the
scientists and the cooperation of the states, this year India has broken all the old records of foodgrain
production. As the Agriculture Minister, I am satisfied to say that due to the hard work of the farmers, the
schemes of Union Govt and the new developed seed varieties, the country has broken all records of
foodgrain production this time. Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that in the year 2025-26, the total
estimated foodgrain production of the country has reached 3, 765.63 lakh tonnes, which is about 188 lakh
tonnes more than last year. India has set a new record in rice production. He said that rice production has
reached 1,540.24 lakh tonnes and India is now number one in the world. We have even surpassed China.
The production of wheat has been recorded at 1, 206.57 lakh tonnes and maize at 550.92 lakh tonnes,
which is a record in itself. Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that the country has achieved great success not
only in foodgrains, but also in oilseeds production. The expected oilseeds production this year is estimated
at 430.59 lakh tonnes with groundnut production reaching 130.74 lakh tonnes and rapeseed-mustard
production reaching 137.68 lakh tonnes, which is a record level. He said that pulses production has also
registered an increase and there is a possibility of further increase in production in coming years.National Agriculture brainstorming on Kharif Strategy
The Union Minister said that separate missions have been created for pulses and oilseeds. Detailed
discussions will be held on better seeds, increasing the seed replacement rate, demonstration and
processing arrangements with the states. Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that the country is moving fast
in the field of horticulture and the sector has immense potential. He said that Mission for Integrated
Development of Horticulture and Cotton Mission will also be discussed a the conclave. Terming climate
change as a major challenge for the agriculture, the Union Agriculture Minister said that due to changing
weather and erratic rainfall, the farming conditions are changing rapidly. The heat is constantly increasing.
At times, there is excessive rain at once and then there are long intervals. Necessary steps to keep farming
safe and sustainable in such an environment will also be discussed. He informed that the conclave will
have special focus on topics like natural farming, soil health card and balanced use of fertilizers. He said
that many farmers resort to excessive use of fertilizers due to lack of information. Hence, it’s necessary to
promote balanced use. Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that integrated farming model will also be
discussed to increase the income of small and marginal farmers. Farms in our country are small in size.
Therefore, we will consider how farmers can earn more profit from less land. Adequate funding for
agriculture is also necessary. Farmers need crop production as well as post-harvest management and
protection from risk. There is still a disparity among states in the distribution of agricultural credit. Farm
credit is very low in some states and high in others. If farmers have KCC and capital for investment, they
will be able to do better farming. The Union Agriculture Minister informed that topics like Agri Infra
Fund, PM-AASHA Yojana, Digital Agriculture, Farmer ID and strengthening of FPOs will also be
discussed at the conclave. The states have been divided into different groups, where brainstorming on
various issues will take place throughout the day. Next day, presentations will be made on various topics
in the presence of State Agriculture Ministers and a joint agricultural roadmap of the country and the
States for the Kharif crop will be prepared. Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan informed that "Khet Bachao
Abhiyan" will also be discussed extensively at the conclave. He said that the Central and State
Governments will make coordinated efforts to meet the set targets.*****
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