**Executive Summary**
The North Zone Agriculture Conference, held on April 24, 2026, in Lucknow, served as a strategic platform for the Union Ministry of Agriculture and state leaders to coordinate preparations for the Kharif and Rabi seasons. The conference emphasized the development of region-specific agricultural roadmaps and the transition of scientific research from laboratories to farmers' fields. Key action items include expanding Kisan Credit Card coverage, implementing strict measures against counterfeit inputs, and promoting integrated farming to stabilize rural incomes.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Regional Strategic Planning**
* **Zonal Approach:** The transition from national meetings to zonal conferences allows for deeper strategies based on specific soil types, climates, and regional cropping systems.
* **State Roadmaps:** Every state is encouraged to prepare individual agricultural plans tailored to their unique needs, supported by collaboration with central scientists and expert institutions.
* **Specific Strengths:** Recognition of Punjab and Haryana’s role in the Green Revolution, Uttar Pradesh’s food grain production, and the horticultural strengths of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Jammu-Kashmir.
**Farmer Welfare and Credit**
* **Institutional Credit:** Emphasis on expanding Kisan Credit Card (KCC) coverage for small and marginal farmers to improve access to affordable loans.
* **Identification Tools:** Prioritizing the rollout of Kisan IDs to simplify farmer identification and access to government services.
* **Income Stability:** Promoting integrated farming—including fisheries, animal husbandry, and beekeeping—to move away from a sole reliance on grain production.
**Input Quality and Sustainability**
* **Counterfeit Control:** A call for strict laws and state-led campaigns to ban counterfeit fertilizers, pesticides, and substandard seeds.
* **Balanced Nutrition:** Encouraging an assessment of fertilizer consumption to ensure use is based on actual soil requirements rather than traditional practices.
* **Alternative Methods:** Active promotion of natural farming, organic alternatives, and soil health protection.
**Research and Extension**
* **Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan:** An initiative urging agricultural scientists to visit villages directly to interact with farmers and provide location-specific advice.
* **Knowledge Transfer:** Strengthening Krishi Vigyan Kendras to ensure laboratory research and modern technology effectively reach the fields through demonstrations and continuous guidance.
* **Value Addition:** Focus on linking agriculture with food processing and competitive markets to ensure fair compensation and better prices.
**Impact Analysis**
**State Governments**
**Impact**
States are now responsible for decentralizing agricultural planning and moving toward region-specific roadmaps rather than following a single national agenda. They face increased pressure to regulate the quality of agricultural inputs.
**Action Required**
Develop climate-specific agricultural roadmaps; launch special campaigns against counterfeit inputs; and create plans for scientists to conduct regular village visits.
**Farmers (Small and Marginal)**
**Impact**
Farmers stand to benefit from increased institutional credit, improved seed quality, and direct access to scientific expertise, which can lead to higher productivity and diversified income streams.
**Action Required**
Register for Kisan IDs and KCCs; adopt integrated farming practices; and transition toward balanced fertilizer use and natural farming.
**Agricultural Scientists and Institutions**
**Impact**
There is a shift in accountability, requiring research to be practical and applicable to field conditions rather than remaining confined to laboratories.
**Action Required**
Participate in field demonstrations under the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan and provide direct, location-specific guidance to farmers.
**Central Government (Union Ministry)**
**Impact**
The Ministry acts as a facilitator for regional strategies, providing a common platform for states to share experiences and develop collective strategies.
**Action Required**
Provide support to states through collaboration with central universities and experts; monitor the progress of KCC expansion and quality control measures.
Key Entities Referenced
North Zone Agriculture Conference: A regional summit organized in Lucknow to develop state-specific agricultural roadmaps and strategies for Northern India based on diverse agro-climatic conditions.
Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare: The central government body responsible for organizing regional conferences and driving national objectives such as food security and increasing farmers' income.
Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan (Advanced Agricultural Resolution Campaign): An initiative focused on bridging the gap between research and practice by facilitating direct interaction between agricultural scientists and farmers in villages.
Kisan Credit Cards (KCC): A financial scheme emphasized during the conference to provide small and marginal farmers with easier access to affordable institutional credit and loans.
Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs): Agricultural extension centers identified as key institutions for conducting field demonstrations and providing continuous scientific guidance to farmers.
Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
The Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers
Welfare organized the North Zone Agriculture
Conference in Lucknow
Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Uttar
Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Union Ministers of
State for Agriculture, and ministers from six states and three
Union Territories participated in the conference
Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan stated that every state should
prepare its agricultural plan according to its climate and
specific needs. He also emphasized the need for faster
progress in areas such as quality seeds, Kisan ID, and Kisan
Credit Cards (KCC)
He issued a strong warning against counterfeit fertilizers and
seeds, calling for a ban on such inputs and stressing the
importance of balanced fertilizer use
Shri Yogi Adityanath said that farmers will benefit fully only
when knowledge developed in laboratories reaches the
fields. He further highlighted that technology, training, and
value addition are key factors that can transform agriculture
The conference focused on creating a common agenda for
Kharif and Rabi crop preparations. It also brought together
progressive farmers, scientists, and representatives from
central and state governments on a single platform, with a
shared commitment for giving a new direction to agriculture
Posted On: 24 APR 2026 4:44PM by PIB Delhi
The North Zone Agriculture Conference organized by the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers
Welfare in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, emerged as an important platform presenting a fresh vision for
agriculture, a renewed action plan, and a farmer-centric approach. The conference witnessed participationfrom Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Shri Yogi
Adityanath, Union Ministers of State for Agriculture, and ministers from six states and three Union
Territories.
During the inaugural session, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Yogi Adityanath emphasized that the next
phase of agricultural development would succeed only when scientific research effectively reaches
farmers’ fields, government schemes benefit small farmers efficiently, and each state prepares a clear
agricultural roadmap based on its geographical and climatic conditions.
Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan stated that earlier, discussions on Kharif and Rabi crops were conducted
through a single nationwide meeting, which limited the ability to address region-specific challenges in a
vast country like India. He explained that the introduction of zonal conferences allows for deeper
discussions and better strategies based on soil type, climate, cropping systems, and regional challenges.
Highlighting the importance of the northern region, he noted that states such as Punjab and Haryana have
led the Green Revolution, while Uttar Pradesh plays a crucial role in food grain production. He also
pointed out that Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Jammu-Kashmir have distinct strengths in
horticulture, including fruits, flowers, and vegetables. Therefore, the conference serves as a valuable
platform for sharing experiences and developing collective strategies.The Union Minister outlined three primary national objectives: ensuring food security, increasing farmers’
income, and providing nutritious food. He stated that achieving these goals requires increasing agricultural
production, reducing costs, ensuring fair compensation for farmers’ efforts and crop losses, and promoting
diversification in agriculture.
Expressing concern about the rising use of fertilizers, he stressed the need to assess whether increased
consumption is based on actual requirements or traditional practices. He emphasized the importance of
balanced fertilizer use, soil health protection, natural farming, and adopting organic alternatives for the
future.
He further highlighted that quality seeds form the foundation of agriculture and stressed the importance of
ensuring the availability of seeds suitable for different climatic conditions. Referring to unpredictable
weather patterns and the possibility of low rainfall, he stated that agricultural planning must adapt to
changing conditions, including crop selection, seed choice, and technology adoption.
Addressing the issue of counterfeit agricultural inputs such as fake fertilizers, pesticides, and substandard
seeds, he called for strict laws and firm action to protect farmers from fraud. He warned that poor-quality
inputs negatively affect production, income, and trust, and urged states to conduct special campaigns
against such malpractices.
Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan encouraged all states to develop their own agricultural roadmaps and assured
that the central government would support them through collaboration with scientists, agricultural
universities, Krishi Vigyan Kendras, and expert institutions. He emphasized that long-term planning
tailored to state-specific conditions is essential for the overall welfare of agriculture and farmers.
He also underlined the importance of Kisan ID and Kisan Credit Cards, stating that these tools simplify
farmer identification, access to loans, schemes, and services. He added that expanding Kisan Credit Card
coverage among small and marginal farmers would improve access to affordable institutional credit.
Discussing the Advanced Agricultural Resolution Campaign(Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan), he urged
states to create plans that enable agricultural scientists to visit villages and directly interact with farmers.
He emphasized that research becomes meaningful only when it reaches the field, allowing farmers to ask
questions and receive practical, location-specific advice.He described integrated farming as highly beneficial for small farmers, noting that relying solely on grain
production does not ensure stable income. He recommended diversification into activities such as fruit and
vegetable cultivation, animal husbandry, fisheries, goat rearing, poultry, beekeeping, and agroforestry to
create multiple income sources.
Chief Minister Shri Yogi Adityanath praised the initiative of organizing regional-level agricultural
conferences, calling it practical and result-oriented. For this, he thanked Union Minister Shivraj Singh
Chouhan. He emphasized that India’s diverse agro-climatic zones require region-specific planning, as
agricultural challenges, opportunities, and priorities vary significantly across regions.
Referring to the Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan, he highlighted its importance in bringing agricultural research
directly to farmers. He noted that earlier, research remained confined to laboratories, but now scientists,
educators, and farmers are interacting more closely, leading to better application of technology and
renewed enthusiasm among farmers.
Shri Yogi Adityanath also pointed out the positive impact of strengthening Krishi Vigyan Kendras in Uttar
Pradesh, making them more accountable and increasing their direct engagement with farmers. He stated
that real transformation occurs when scientists conduct field demonstrations, interact with farmers
regularly, and provide continuous guidance.
Shri Yogi Adityanath stressed that agricultural development is not limited to increasing production but also
involves improving income, reducing costs, adopting modern technology, and strengthening market
linkages. He emphasized the importance of quality seeds, timely technological support, reduced
dependence on chemicals, promotion of natural farming, and value addition in enhancing farmers’
economic conditions.
He observed that many farmers in Uttar Pradesh have transitioned from single-crop farming to double and
triple cropping systems due to better information, improved seeds, government support, and market
access. This shift has resulted in increased incomes and demonstrated that farmers can achieve rapid
progress with proper guidance.
The Chief Minister also emphasized the need for stronger coordination between production, processing,
and marketing. He stated that agriculture should be linked with food processing, demand-based
production, and competitive markets to ensure better prices for farmers and promote agricultural
entrepreneurship.
The conference also focused on preparing a common agenda for Kharif and Rabi seasons. It brought
together progressive farmers, scientists, and representatives from central and state governments, fostering
collaboration and collective commitment to advancing agriculture.Union Ministers of State for Agriculture Shri Ramnath Thakur and Shri Bhagirath Chaudhary were also
present. Additionally, several state ministers participated, including Shri Surya Pratap Shahi from Uttar
Pradesh, Shri Ganesh Joshi from Uttarakhand, Shri Gurmeet Singh Khuddian and Shri Mahendra Bhagat
from Punjab, Shri Jagat Singh Negi from Himachal Pradesh, Shri Javed Ahmed Dar from Jammu and
Kashmir, and Shri Dinesh Pratap Singh and Shri Baldev Singh Aulakh from Uttar Pradesh.
Senior officials, including Agriculture Secretary Shri Atish Chandra and Dr. M. L. Jat, Secretary of the
Department of Agricultural Research and Education and Director General of the Indian Council of
Agricultural Research, along with scientists, officials from various states, and farmer representatives, were
also present at the event.
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