Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan recently revealed a remarkable surge in India’s foodgrain, fruit, and vegetable production this year, marking a substantial improvement over the previous year’s figures.
The announcement came during a two-day National Conference on Agriculture – Rabi Campaign, a pivotal joint initiative where Union and State Agriculture Departments convened to outline strategies for the upcoming winter cropping season.
Minister Chouhan highlighted ambitious goals, stating, “The Central government aims for a production target of 362.50 million tonnes for 2025-26, a significant increase from last year’s 341.55 million tonnes.” He further elaborated on the impressive performance, noting that India’s total foodgrain production hit 353.96 million tonnes in 2024-25, representing a robust 6.5% rise (21.66 million tonnes) compared to the previous year. This included record harvests in crucial crops like rice, wheat, maize, groundnut, and soybean, surpassing the initial target by 12.41 million tonnes.
Key discussions at the conference centered on fostering climate resilience, ensuring the supply of high-quality seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides, promoting horticulture, and advancing natural farming practices. A critical resolution was also made to significantly enhance the productivity of pulses and oilseeds, alongside a stronger emphasis on integrated farming systems.
Describing the conference as a resounding success, Chouhan affirmed the ongoing commitment of both the central and state governments to collaborative efforts aimed at boosting agricultural growth and improving farmer welfare. He underscored this dedication by pointing out that this year’s rabi conference spanned two days, a departure from the traditional one-day format, signaling a deeper governmental focus on the agricultural sector.
Addressing the pressing issue of floods, the Minister assured the nation that the government is fully committed to providing all necessary assistance to affected states and Union Territories, including Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu, Uttarakhand, Maharashtra, Assam, and parts of Haryana. He stated, “The Centre will leave no stone unturned in supporting these regions,” further mentioning ongoing efforts to guarantee the prompt and sufficient disbursement of insurance benefits to farmers enrolled in the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana.
Boosting Pulses and Oilseeds Production
Regarding seed availability for the rabi season, Mr. Chouhan confirmed that while 22.9 million tonnes are required, a robust supply of nearly 25 million tonnes is already in place. He acknowledged that varying rainfall patterns and other factors can influence crop choices, noting that this year’s favorable rainfall has expanded the sown area, potentially increasing fertilizer demand. He then assured states that fertilizer supplies would be met promptly and adequately through close coordination with the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers.
The Minister emphasized that while India has achieved global standards in rice and wheat production, a stronger focus is now needed on pulses and oilseeds. He announced plans for a comprehensive roadmap aimed at significantly boosting yields, with a particular emphasis on per-hectare productivity. Furthermore, he mentioned that detailed crop-specific reviews are underway, citing recent large-scale meetings for cotton and soybean, and assured that concrete measures would soon be implemented to enhance the output of rabi crops and other vital agricultural commodities.