Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, and Rural Development, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan today held a high-level weekly agriculture review meeting at Krishi Bhavan in New Delhi, and conducted a detailed review of preparations across the country for the Kharif 2026 season.
Along with this, in the context of possible El Niño conditions, he placed special emphasis on increasing cotton production, achieving self-reliance (atmanirbharta) in pulses and advance contingency plans for low-rainfall districts and gave a clear message that protecting farmers’ interests is the government’s top priority under the guidance of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.
The meeting focused on ensuring that all necessary steps are taken well in advance to safeguard agriculture and farmers from any adverse weather conditions that may arise during the season. In the meeting, while discussing the possible El Niño situation, Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan gave clear directions that full preparations should be made in advance in those districts where there is a possibility of low rainfall or uneven rainfall.
He said that such districts should be clearly identified and crop-wise contingency plans should be prepared in coordination with state governments so that in any weather challenge situation, farmers can be provided immediate alternatives, advice and support.
He strongly emphasised that special attention should be given to water conservation, moisture management, inter-cropping and alternative crop patterns and a separate and practical strategy should be made for every risk-prone district so that farmers do not face any difficulty during the Kharif season and can continue their farming activities smoothly without any major problems.
Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan also directed that in the 9-10 states where the impact of El Niño may be relatively higher, coordinated meetings should be organised with District Magistrates, Agriculture Departments, Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) and other extension systems of the identified districts.
He said that in these meetings, the entire situation at the district level should be made clear and awareness campaigns should be carried out among farmers so that every farmer knows what precautions and which crop options are safer for his area.
Shri Shivraj Singh said that instead of exaggerating the danger, a calm, trustworthy and solution-oriented message based on scientific analysis should reach the farmers, and this is the government’s priority. This approach will help build confidence among farmers and ensure better preparedness for the upcoming season.
During the review of crop-wise targets, sowing progress and state-wise preparations for Kharif 2026, special discussion was held on increasing cotton production. Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan stressed on promoting scientific methods, selection of right varieties, inter-cropping, mulching and moisture conservation measures on a large scale so that both productivity and income from cotton improve significantly.
He directed officials to work in mission mode for this purpose and ensure that all possible steps are taken to boost cotton output this season so that farmers get better returns from their efforts. Detailed deliberations were also held on the Self-Reliance in Pulses Mission.
Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh informed that the government’s effort is to make the country more self-reliant in pulses like pigeon pea, black gram and moong and reduce dependence on imports. For this, special attention is being given in coordination with states on crop cycles, area expansion, better seed availability and technical guidance so that farmers can increase pulses production along with secured income.
This mission is very important for reducing import dependence and strengthening domestic production of pulses in a sustainable manner. During the review, information was also presented on fertiliser availability, mandi prices in the market, status of reservoirs and water storage and state-wise stocks.
Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh said that fertiliser is available at the national level and as the pace of monsoon increases, supply to states and districts will be made even more efficient. For this, he gave directions to officials and also stressed that wherever there is any possibility of shortage at the micro level, supply should be ensured in advance so that farmers do not face any difficulty at any stage of the farming season and can carry out their activities without worry.
Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan also emphasised better coordination between agricultural universities, institutions affiliated to the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, KVKs and state agriculture departments. He said that technical knowledge is meaningful only when it reaches the fields on time and farmers can adopt it easily and take advantage of it.
He told officials that only through continuous dialogue, regular review and ground-level feedback can the Kharif 2026 season be made secure and successful. This coordination will play a key role in the overall success of the season and help achieve better results for farmers across the country in a timely and effective manner.