Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan delivered welcome news this past Tuesday (September 16, 2025), announcing a significant surge in foodgrain, fruit, and vegetable production across the nation compared to last year’s figures.
His remarks followed the conclusion of a productive two-day National Conference on Agriculture, focused on the ‘Rabi Campaign.’ This crucial joint meeting brought together Union and State Agriculture Departments to chart a comprehensive strategy for the upcoming winter seasonal crops.
Minister Chouhan highlighted ambitious goals, stating, ‘The Central government has set a production target of 362.50 million tonnes for 2025-26, a notable increase from the 341.55 million tonnes targeted last year.’ He proudly revealed that India’s total foodgrain production hit 353.96 million tonnes in 2024-25, marking an impressive 6.5% rise (21.66 million tonnes) over the previous year. This achievement included record harvests for essential crops such as rice, wheat, maize, groundnut, and soybean, surpassing the initial target by 12.41 million tonnes.
Discussions at the conference spanned vital areas including climate resilience, ensuring the availability of high-quality seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides, advancements in horticulture, and promoting natural farming practices. A key outcome was the commitment to significantly boost the productivity of pulses and oilseeds, alongside a renewed emphasis on integrated farming systems.
Calling the conference a resounding success, Minister Chouhan affirmed the ongoing collaborative efforts between the Central and State governments to drive agricultural growth and enhance farmer welfare. He underscored the government’s strong commitment to the farm sector by noting that this year’s Rabi conference was extended to two days, a departure from the usual one-day format.
Addressing the severe flood situation, he reassured the public that the government is fully committed to supporting affected regions like Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu, Uttarakhand, Maharashtra, Assam, and parts of Haryana. ‘The Centre will leave no stone unturned in assisting these States and Union Territories,’ the Minister declared. He also mentioned that substantial efforts are underway to ensure farmers enrolled in the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana receive their insurance benefits promptly and comprehensively.
Prioritizing Pulses and Oilseeds for a Stronger Future
Regarding critical inputs, Mr. Chouhan reported that while 22.9 million tonnes of seeds are needed for the upcoming Rabi sowing, a robust supply of nearly 25 million tonnes is already secured. He acknowledged that varying rainfall patterns can shift crop demands, noting that this year’s abundant rains could increase fertilizer needs. He confidently stated that fertilizers would be supplied efficiently to all states, working closely with the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers.
The Minister emphasized that while India boasts global-level production in rice and wheat, a sharper focus is crucial for pulses and oilseeds. He unveiled plans for a dedicated roadmap to significantly boost yields, with a particular focus on improving per-hectare productivity. Comprehensive crop-wise reviews, including recent large-scale meetings for cotton and soybean, are already underway, with concrete actions planned to enhance the output of Rabi crops and other vital agricultural commodities.