Date: 2026-05-13Category: Press ReleaseState: Union GovernmentCountry: India
Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan meets Punjab Chief Minister Shri Bhagwant Singh Mann in Delhi, fruitful discussion on several key issues
**Executive Summary**
On 13 May 2026, Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan met Punjab Chief Minister Shri Bhagwant Mann to discuss agricultural development and farmer welfare. The meeting established a roadmap for crop diversification, water conservation, and sustainable farming through national missions for oilseeds, pulses, cotton, and horticulture. Key targets include the procurement of 125 lakh metric tonnes of wheat by Punjab and the commitment of central support for the state's agricultural initiatives.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Agricultural Diversification and Sustainability**
* Focus on shifting toward crop diversification to save Punjab’s land and water resources and improve soil health.
* Promotion of sustainable agricultural development through dedicated missions for oilseeds, pulses, cotton, and horticulture.
* Emphasis on making agriculture more resilient to the effects of climate change.
* **Central Support and Collaboration**
* The Union Minister assured that the Central Government will provide all possible assistance and walk "shoulder-to-shoulder" with Punjab.
* Commitment to ensure farmers do not suffer financial losses while transitioning to diversified crops.
* The Centre will consider Punjab’s proposal to include a state representative in the Central Seed Committee.
* **Production and Resource Management**
* Punjab has set a target to procure 125 lakh metric tonnes of wheat for the current season.
* Addressing challenges related to paddy milling.
* Advocacy for the balanced use of fertilizers to maintain soil health, despite there being no national shortage of supply.
**Impact Analysis**
**Punjab State Government**
* **Impact:** Receives assurance of full central support for agriculture-related missions and potential representation on the Central Seed Committee.
* **Action Required:** Implement the roadmap for crop diversification and fulfill the 125 lakh metric tonne wheat procurement target.
**Punjab Farmers**
* **Impact:** Benefits from enhanced water conservation, improved soil health, and financial protection during the shift away from traditional monocultures.
* **Action Required:** Transition toward diversified crops (pulses, oilseeds, cotton) and adopt the balanced use of fertilizers.
**Union Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare**
* **Impact:** Strengthens the national food security framework by supporting India's "food bowl" through various welfare missions.
* **Action Required:** Provide necessary financial assistance, expertise for diversification, and consider the state’s representation in national seed policy-making.
Key Entities Referenced
Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan: Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare who presented a central roadmap for Punjab’s crop diversification and agricultural sustainability.
Shri Bhagwant Singh Mann: Chief Minister of Punjab who discussed state-specific issues including paddy milling, wheat procurement, and financial assistance.
Punjab: The central state of applicability for the proposed agricultural initiatives, water conservation strategies, and crop diversification missions.
Central Seed Committee: A national-level committee where the Punjab government has proposed the inclusion of a state representative.
Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh
Chouhan meets Punjab Chief Minister Shri
Bhagwant Singh Mann in Delhi, fruitful
discussion on several key issues
Shri Shivraj Singh expresses confidence in Punjab, pioneer of
Green Revolution; full central support for farmers’ welfare
Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s major resolve to save Punjab’s
land, water, and farmers
Shri Shivraj Singh focuses on crop diversification, Centre
presents clear roadmap for Punjab’s future
Farmer benefits, water savings, soil health: Shri Shivraj Singh
Chouhan shows path to solutions through crop diversification
“Central Government will walk shoulder-to-shoulder with
Punjab”: Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan
Posted On: 13 MAY 2026 8:38PM by PIB Delhi
Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, and Rural Development, Shri Shivraj Singh
Chouhan met Punjab Chief Minister Shri Bhagwant Mann in New Delhi on Tuesday.During the meeting, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan held discussions with Shri Bhagwant Mann on various
issues related to agriculture and farmer welfare in Punjab. The high-level discussion focused in detail on
problems being faced in paddy milling, promotion of crop diversification, conservation of water resources,
and sustainable agricultural development through oilseed, pulse, cotton and horticulture missions.
Addressing the media after the meeting, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan said Punjab has played a historic role
in strengthening the country’s food security and continues to remain India’s food bowl. Praising the
contribution of Punjab’s farmers to national foodgrain production, he assured that the Central Government
would extend full support to the state in all agriculture-related missions.The Union Minister assured that the Centre would provide every possible assistance to Punjab in all
initiatives related to agriculture and water conservation. He said the benefits of the Government of India’s
cotton, pulses, oilseed and horticulture missions, along with other schemes, would be utilised to strengthen
Punjab’s agriculture sector and ensure the welfare of farmers.
He said the Central Government and the Punjab government would work together to promote crop
diversification, conserve water resources and ensure sustainable agricultural development in the state.
Punjab’s fertile land has immense agricultural potential, but there is also a need to pay special attention to
water conservation and sustainable farming practices.
Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan said the Centre would work together with Punjab to ensure that farmers do
not suffer losses due to crop diversification, water resources are protected, soil health improves and
agriculture becomes more resilient to the effects of climate change. He also said there is no shortage of
fertilisers in the country, but balanced use of fertilisers is necessary to maintain soil health.
Shri Bhagwant Mann said Punjab would successfully achieve the wheat procurement target fixed for the
current season. He said the state would meet the target of procuring 125 lakh metric tonnes of wheat and
continue to lead the country in foodgrain production.
Responding to questions regarding Punjab’s demand for additional financial assistance, the Union
Minister said the Central Government would continue supporting the state through various agriculture,
irrigation and farmer welfare missions. Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan also assured that the proposal of the
Punjab government to include a Punjab representative in the Central Seed Committee would be
considered.
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