NEW DELHI, 1 June 2026: In a landmark development for India's agricultural sector, Agriculture Ministers from 22 states came together on a single platform during the two-day National Kharif Conference 2026 held at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (PUSA) campus in New Delhi, pledging coordinated action to strengthen agriculture and improve farmers' livelihoods.
Chaired by Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, the conference emerged as a national forum for collaboration, policy alignment and implementation-focused discussions on critical issues including Kharif preparedness, self-reliance in pulses and oilseeds, natural farming, balanced fertilizer use and the nationwide Khet Bachao Abhiyan.
Historic Gathering of State Agriculture Ministers
The conference witnessed extensive deliberations among senior agriculture and horticulture officials on the first day, followed by a rare full-day engagement of Agriculture Ministers from 22 states on the second day. The ministers discussed strategies to enhance agricultural productivity while preserving soil health and environmental sustainability.
One of the key outcomes was a collective commitment by state ministers to promote natural farming not only through government policies but also by adopting and demonstrating such practices on their own farms.
"Our goal is to lead by example and encourage farmers to embrace sustainable agricultural practices," the ministers collectively affirmed during the conference.
Khet Bachao Abhiyan Takes Centre Stage
A major focus of the conference was the proposed Khet Bachao Abhiyan, which aims to promote balanced fertilizer use, soil conservation and sustainable farming practices across the country.
Shri Chouhan emphasized that the campaign is not intended to eliminate chemical fertilizers entirely but to encourage their scientific and balanced application based on soil requirements.
"Saving farms means saving the future. Protecting agricultural land is not only about farming; it is about safeguarding the environment, the nation and future generations," he said.
The conference proposed that the campaign be implemented jointly by the Central Government, state governments, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), agricultural universities, Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) and the scientific community.
Natural Farming Gains Momentum
The conference also reinforced the government's push for natural farming as a sustainable agricultural model. State Agriculture Ministers publicly committed to experimenting with natural farming practices on their own farms, a move expected to inspire greater confidence among farmers.
Experiences from Gujarat were highlighted as successful examples of natural farming adoption. Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat participated in the conference and strongly advocated expanding natural farming practices across India.
Focus on Soil Health and Input Cost Management
Delegates stressed the importance of improving soil health through balanced nutrient management and reducing excessive dependence on chemical fertilizers. Discussions also focused on reducing cultivation costs, improving productivity and ensuring long-term sustainability of agricultural resources.
The conference linked Kharif planning with broader national priorities, including:
- Self-reliance in pulses and oilseeds
- Soil health improvement
- Sustainable resource management
- Enhanced farm productivity
- Reduced input costs
- Climate-resilient agriculture
- Agriculture as a National Mission
The conference underscored the Centre's vision of treating agriculture as a national mission rather than merely a production-oriented sector. Discussions highlighted the need for better coordination between the Centre and states to ensure effective implementation of agricultural programmes and farmer-centric initiatives.
Chouhan urged state governments to simplify administrative procedures and remove unnecessary bottlenecks to enable farmers to access government schemes more efficiently.
Commitment to Action
Concluding the conference, Shri Chouhan led participants in a collective pledge to transform the ideas and commitments emerging from the deliberations into concrete action on the ground.
He emphasized that agricultural reforms must evolve from government programmes into people's movements through sustained communication and farmer participation.
The National Kharif Conference 2026 is being viewed as a significant milestone in Indian agriculture, with its focus on collaborative governance, sustainable farming, natural resource conservation and farmer welfare expected to shape agricultural policy and implementation in the years ahead.
