National Kharif Conference

In a first-of-its-kind initiative for Indian agriculture, Agriculture Ministers from 22 states participated in the National Kharif Conference held on May 28–29 at the ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (PUSA Campus), one of India’s leading agricultural research institutions.

The two-day conference concluded with a collective commitment to improve farmers’ livelihoods and strengthen the agricultural sector through coordinated efforts between the Centre and the states.

High-Level Deliberations

The conference was chaired by Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and Rural Development.

The first day featured extensive discussions involving:

• State Agriculture Departments,
• Horticulture Departments,
• Senior agricultural policymakers,
• Technical experts and officials.

The deliberations focused on strategies for the upcoming Kharif season, sustainable farming practices, and enhancing agricultural productivity.

Push for Natural Farming

One of the key outcomes of the conference was the commitment by Agriculture Ministers to actively support natural farming.

Responding to an appeal by the Union Minister, several state ministers agreed to:

• Promote natural farming policies,
• Experiment with natural farming practices on their own farms,
• Demonstrate successful models to encourage wider farmer adoption.

The initiative aims to build trust among farmers by showcasing practical examples of sustainable agriculture.

“Saving Farms Means Saving the Future”

A major message emerging from the conference was:

“Saving Farms Means Saving the Future.”

The slogan reflects concerns regarding:

• Soil degradation,
• Excessive chemical input use,
• Declining farm sustainability,
• Long-term food security.

Balanced Use of Fertilisers

The Union Minister clarified that the government’s objective is not to eliminate chemical fertilisers completely, but to ensure their:

• Scientific use,
• Balanced application,
• Judicious consumption.

The emphasis is on maintaining soil health while sustaining agricultural productivity.

Key Initiatives Discussed

Khet Bachao Abhiyan (Save Farms Campaign): The campaign seeks to:

• Protect soil fertility,
• Promote sustainable farming practices,
• Encourage balanced nutrient management.

Natural Farming Models: States agreed to develop practical and scalable natural farming demonstrations that can be replicated across regions.

Self-Reliance in Pulses and Oilseeds: Special focus was placed on increasing domestic production of pulses and edible oilseeds to reduce import dependence and strengthen food security.

Source: PIB