Shivraj Singh Chouhan to chair key regional agriculture meet in Bhubaneswar with participation from states, FPOs, startups and policymakers

The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare will organise the Eastern Regional Agriculture Conference in Bhubaneswar on May 19, bringing together policymakers, scientists, farmer organisations and industry stakeholders to discuss agricultural development and farmer welfare in eastern India.

The conference will be chaired by Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and attended by Mohan Charan Majhi along with agriculture ministers from multiple states.

Key Highlights

• Eastern Regional Agriculture Conference to be held in Bhubaneswar on May 19
• Focus on farmer income, agri innovation and Centre-state coordination
• Discussions on natural farming, edible oils, pulses and farm credit
• States to present successful agriculture models and best practices
• FPOs, startups, scientists and banks to participate
• Key emphasis on fertiliser misuse, fake agro-inputs and sustainable farming

Focus Areas: Farmer Welfare and Agricultural Sustainability

According to the Ministry, the conference aims to:

• Strengthen coordination between Centre and states
• Review major agriculture schemes
• Promote sustainable farming practices
• Enhance farmer incomes
• Encourage innovation-driven agriculture growth

Special sessions will focus on:

• Farmer registry implementation
• Horticulture opportunities
• Pulses self-reliance mission
• National Mission on Edible Oils–Oilseeds (NMEO-OS)
• PM-AASHA
• National Mission on Natural Farming
• Farm credit and Kisan Credit Card-related issues

Strong Push for Natural Farming and Balanced Fertiliser Use

A major focus of the conference will be sustainable agriculture and input management.

Discussions are expected around:

• Preventing black marketing of fertilisers
• Controlling fake pesticides and fertilisers
• Balanced fertiliser usage
• Promotion of alternative and natural fertilisers
• Expanding natural farming practices

The conference comes amid increasing policy emphasis on reducing excessive chemical input use while improving soil health and long-term agricultural sustainability.

States to Showcase Agricultural Innovations

Several eastern states will present successful agriculture and rural development models during the event.

Highlights include:

• Odisha presenting agricultural extension initiatives
• West Bengal showcasing seed production best practices
• Jharkhand sharing FPO-led value chain and agri-startup models
• Bihar presenting successful maize production and marketing experiences

Growing Role of FPOs and Agri Startups

The conference will also see participation from:

• Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs)
• Agricultural startups
• Scientists
• Banks
• Agri experts
• Farmer representatives

The inclusion of startups and FPOs reflects the government’s increasing focus on:

• Market linkages
• Value-added agriculture
• Digital agriculture
• Supply chain efficiency
• Rural entrepreneurship

Relevance for Food, Processing and Hospitality Sectors

The conference holds importance for India’s broader food ecosystem, especially sectors linked to:

• Food processing
• Edible oils
• Grain sourcing
• Agri supply chains
• Natural and organic foods
• Sustainable sourcing

Policy discussions around pulses, oilseeds, maize and horticulture are expected to have implications for:

• FMCG companies
• Hospitality procurement chains
• Millet and health-food brands
• Agritech platforms
• Food exporters

Officials said the conference is expected to act as a collaborative platform for shaping future agricultural strategies while addressing regional challenges and promoting long-term sustainable growth in eastern India’s agriculture economy.