36th Vice Chancellors’ Conference in New Delhi focuses on technology-driven agriculture, field-level research and preparing youth as entrepreneurs and job creatorsKey HighlightsAgricultural education to be assessed by its impact on farmers and field-level outcomes, rather than degrees awarded.Government calls for stronger links between agricultural universities,

Pulses remain a bright spot with 1.49 lakh hectare increase; oilseeds, sugarcane and cotton record marginal declinesKey HighlightsTotal Kharif crop area stood at 1,056.70 lakh hectares as of August 21, 2026, down from 1,072.77 lakh hectares a year earlier.Rice acreage declined by 13.19 lakh hectares