Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan calls for water-based crop planning, timely seed and fertiliser availability, stronger pulses and oilseeds production, and weekly monitoring of crops and markets

Key Highlights:

• Rabi Campaign 2026 focuses on data-driven planning, climate resilience and higher farm productivity.
• States asked to base crop planning on water availability and soil moisture.
• Pulses and oilseeds to receive greater focus, particularly in paddy-fallow areas.
• States asked to ensure timely availability of quality seeds and fertilisers before sowing.
• Procurement planning to be aligned with production to provide farmers with assured markets.
• NAFED and NCCF can undertake direct procurement where States are unable to procure on time.
• States urged to promote balanced fertiliser use and expand the ‘Khet Bachao Abhiyan’ during Rabi.
• Weekly monitoring of crop conditions, sowing, pest and disease outbreaks and market prices proposed.
• Farmer ID, AgriStack and Kisan Credit Card coverage to be strengthened.

Agriculture Ministry Calls for Climate-Resilient Rabi Planning

Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan has called on States to complete preparations for the Rabi 2026 season through coordinated planning, scientific assessment and field-level monitoring.

Addressing the two-day National Agriculture Conference – Rabi Campaign 2026 in New Delhi, Shri Chouhan said changing weather conditions, erratic rainfall and water constraints require agricultural planning based on data and stronger Centre-State coordination.

The conference is focused on increasing agricultural production and productivity, promoting sustainable farming and preparing an outcome-oriented strategy to improve farmers’ incomes.

Water Availability to Guide Crop Selection

A major focus of the Rabi strategy is the use of water availability as a basis for crop planning.

Shri Chouhan asked States and districts to assess irrigation water availability before finalising their crop plans. Areas facing water constraints should prioritise relatively less water-intensive crops such as pulses and oilseeds, while areas with assured irrigation can plan other crops according to local conditions.

States have also been asked to assess soil moisture in vulnerable areas and make advance irrigation arrangements. Particular attention has been sought for rainfed regions, where soil moisture can significantly influence crop selection and productivity.

Drought-Hit States to Receive Ground Assessment

The Agriculture Minister expressed concern over drought conditions in Maharashtra and Karnataka, with Central teams scheduled to undertake ground assessments.

He also called for crop plans based on water availability and soil moisture in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, with separate strategies for rainfed and irrigated areas.

The Minister cautioned that delayed sowing can affect germination and productivity, making advance preparation and timely sowing important for the Rabi season.

Quality Seed Availability Identified as Key Priority

Shri Chouhan described seed as a critical link in Rabi preparations and asked States to identify suitable varieties according to regional and agro-climatic conditions.

States have been asked to prepare a complete roadmap covering seed demand, procurement, lifting and distribution. The Agriculture Minister also called for an assessment of varieties developed by agricultural institutions, including their adoption among farmers, followed by targeted awareness and extension activities.

Pulses and Oilseeds to Gain Greater Focus

The Centre has called for greater cultivation of pulses and oilseeds, particularly in areas that remain fallow after paddy cultivation.

States have been asked to finalise their Rabi plans by September 29, identifying the area to be brought under pulses and crops such as chana, masoor and mustard.

The strategy is linked to the national objective of greater self-reliance in pulses and edible oils. However, the Agriculture Minister stressed that production planning must be accompanied by assured procurement and market arrangements so that farmers have confidence in selling their produce.

Procurement Planning to Run Alongside Production

The Centre has emphasised that procurement arrangements should be established in advance rather than after production.

Where State governments are unable to undertake procurement on time, NAFED and NCCF can undertake direct procurement from farmers. States have been asked to facilitate mandi-related requirements and other arrangements to prevent procurement delays.

The Centre has also approved large-scale proposals for procurement of pulses and oilseeds under the Price Support Scheme (PSS).

Balanced Fertiliser Use and Soil Health

The Agriculture Minister also called for greater emphasis on balanced fertiliser application, noting that excessive use can increase cultivation costs and affect soil health.

The government has asked States to extend the ‘Khet Bachao Abhiyan’, which was launched during the Kharif season, into the Rabi campaign.

Timely availability and distribution of fertilisers were also highlighted. Pilot initiatives using Farmer ID are being explored to improve distribution, ensure fertilisers reach genuine farmers and prevent diversion and black marketing.

The government is currently spending around ₹2 lakh crore on fertiliser subsidy, while farmers receive fertilisers at subsidised prices, including urea at ₹266 per bag and DAP at ₹1,350 per bag.

Natural Farming Push Moves Towards Branding and Markets

The Agriculture Minister said the next priority for natural farming should be branding, marketing and certification.

States such as Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh were cited for developing market identities for natural farming products. The Centre has also called for ensuring that certification processes do not become a barrier for farmers and that natural products receive appropriate market recognition.

Farmer Credit and Digital Agriculture to Be Strengthened

The government also reviewed access to institutional credit and digital farmer records.

Around 9.54 crore farmer families are covered under PM-KISAN, while the Agriculture Minister said Kisan Credit Card coverage remains inadequate in several areas, particularly among small and marginal farmers.

States have been asked to identify gaps in KCC coverage and address bottlenecks in loan sanctioning. Progress under Farmer ID and AgriStack is also being accelerated, including land parcel-related work.

The Centre has stressed that tenant farmers and farmers cultivating land at different locations should also be included in the Farmer ID framework.

Weekly Monitoring of Crops, Disease and Market Prices

States have been asked to undertake weekly monitoring of crop conditions, sowing progress, germination, pest and disease outbreaks and market prices.

The objective is to identify emerging problems quickly and enable corrective action based on real-time field information. The Agriculture Ministry is also conducting weekly national-level reviews covering crop conditions, market rates and disease outbreaks.

Secretary, Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Shri Atish Chandra, stressed the need for agricultural diversification, sustainable farming and research-based practices amid changing weather patterns and uneven rainfall.

Secretary, DARE and Director General, ICAR, Dr. Mangi Lal Jat, identified self-reliance, crop diversification, climate-resilient agriculture, digital agriculture and risk mitigation as key priorities for the Rabi campaign. Large-scale demonstrations of green ammonia are planned across 10,000 acres in 37 districts of six States during the upcoming season.

Rabi Campaign to Shape Coordinated Action Plan

The two-day National Agriculture Conference is bringing together officials from the Centre and States, ICAR scientists, agricultural universities and other stakeholders.

The discussions cover self-reliance and diversification, climate-resilient agriculture, digital agriculture, infrastructure, financing, risk management, fertiliser availability, Farmer Registry, pulses and edible oil missions, PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana, marketing reforms, ATMA and KVK planning.

The outcomes are expected to feed into a coordinated action plan for Rabi Campaign 2026, with the focus on improving production, strengthening farmer support and advancing sustainable and self-reliant agriculture.

Impact on Food, Hospitality and Travel & Tourism

The Rabi strategy has a direct connection with the food and hospitality supply chain, as production, procurement, storage and market availability of pulses, oilseeds and other agricultural commodities influence food businesses.

Greater cultivation of pulses and oilseeds, particularly in paddy-fallow areas, could strengthen domestic availability of key food ingredients and support the wider hotel, restaurant and catering sector. Assured procurement and better market planning can also contribute to greater predictability across agricultural supply chains.

The emphasis on natural farming, soil health, climate resilience and water-efficient crop planning is relevant to the growing demand for sustainable and locally sourced food in hospitality.

For tourism, stronger agricultural resilience can support rural and agritourism destinations, particularly where farming, local food production and traditional agricultural practices form part of the visitor experience.