The Centre has sanctioned more than ₹1,200 crore to 10 states under the Prime Minister Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (PM-RKVY), Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said on Tuesday, calling for stronger Centre-State coordination and a “Team Agriculture” approach to improve farmers’ livelihoods and food security.
Addressing the second day of the National Agriculture Conference – Rabi Campaign 2026 on Tuesday, Chouhan said the Centre and states should rise above political differences and work together to address challenges facing the agriculture sector.
“Governments and political parties come and go; parties are formed and dissolved, but the country and its farmers are eternal,” he said, stressing that the conference should focus on practical solutions to advance the interests of farmers.
Union Ministers of State for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Ram Nath Thakur and Bhagirath Choudhary, Agriculture Secretary Atish Chandra, ICAR Director General Dr M. L. Jat, along with senior officials, scientists and representatives of agricultural institutions attended the conference.
₹1,200 crore PM-RKVY support for 10 states
Sanction letters under PM-RKVY were handed over to Agriculture Ministers of 10 states, with ₹290 crore allocated to West Bengal, ₹198 crore to Haryana, ₹181 crore to Chhattisgarh, ₹154 crore to Arunachal Pradesh, ₹114 crore to Bihar, ₹104 crore to Karnataka, ₹75 crore to Mizoram, ₹64 crore to Himachal Pradesh, ₹58 crore to Jharkhand and ₹43 crore to Punjab.
Chouhan said the Centre was not limiting itself to policy formulation but was also ensuring timely availability of resources to states so that schemes could be implemented without delay.
Agriculture growth rises to 4.5%
Highlighting the performance of the agriculture sector, Chouhan said its growth rate had increased from 3 per cent in 2015 to 4.5 per cent.
He said the average annual increase in foodgrain production had more than doubled, from around 40 lakh tonnes to 84 lakh tonnes per year.
The minister said rabi foodgrain production increased by 205 lakh tonnes between 2023-24 and 2025-26. He attributed the increase to the collective efforts of state agriculture departments, scientists and farmers.
Monthly reviews to strengthen Centre-State coordination
Chouhan announced regular monthly virtual review meetings with states to monitor agricultural programmes and strengthen cooperative federalism.
At the state level, a State Agriculture Team will bring together the Agriculture Minister, Agriculture Secretary, state agricultural universities, ICAR institutions, Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), ATMA, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), progressive farmers, processors, exporters and nodal officers of the Central government.
At the district level, monthly meetings will involve the Collector, Deputy Director of Agriculture, ATMA, KVKs, ICAR scientists, bankers and farmers.
Annual calendar for Kharif and Rabi preparations
To facilitate advance planning for agricultural campaigns, the minister announced an annual calendar for pre-season interface meetings.
For the Kharif campaign, district-level meetings will be held on May 10 and state-level meetings on May 17 every year. For the Rabi campaign, district-level meetings will be held on September 10 and state-level meetings on September 17.
A special one-day meeting will also be organised nationwide on a common date, bringing together Agriculture Ministers, officials and agricultural scientists to discuss issues concerning farmers.
‘Khet Bachao Abhiyan’ from October 22 to November 30
Chouhan also called for a nationwide ‘Khet Bachao Abhiyan’ from October 22 to November 30 to promote soil health and environmental sustainability.
The campaign will involve scientists and other stakeholders and will use Soil Health Cards to encourage balanced fertiliser use aimed at protecting soil fertility and beneficial insects.
He also called for large-scale promotion of pulse cultivation in rice fallow areas of eastern India, particularly in Jharkhand, Bihar, Odisha and West Bengal, following the paddy harvest.
Rabi strategy to focus on soil, water and crop protection
For the current Rabi season, Chouhan said crop and improved seed recommendations should be based on soil moisture and water availability.
States were directed to strengthen arrangements for protecting crops from diseases and pests, ensure saturation of all eligible farmers with Kisan Credit Cards (KCCs) and conduct transparent Crop Cutting Experiments (CCEs) under the crop insurance scheme.
He also called on state Agriculture Ministers to personally review the implementation of departmental schemes regularly.
Action against fake farm inputs
Chouhan said the availability of seeds and fertilisers was adequate and directed states to take strict legal action against fake fertilisers, spurious seeds and sub-standard pesticides.
He also directed that forced tagging be completely eliminated.
Calling for a more sustainable and remunerative agriculture sector, the minister urged states to promote natural farming, integrated farming systems and crop diversification in mission mode.
Focus on better prices and global markets
The government is pursuing a multi-pronged strategy to ensure fair and remunerative prices for farmers, Chouhan said, with emphasis on post-harvest management, scientific warehousing and improved marketing systems.
He said 100 per cent assured government procurement of tur, urad and masoor at MSP would be undertaken, with arrangements for payments to farmers within 48 hours.
Chouhan also highlighted opportunities emerging from international Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), saying India would leverage new market access to connect its agricultural products, including fruits, vegetables and foodgrains, with global markets.
The minister said greater access to international markets could help farmers secure better returns while enabling India to emerge as a major “food basket” for the world.
