New Delhi: The Central government has fixed the production target for rabi crops at 362.50 million tonnes for 2025–26, higher than last year’s 341.55 million tonnes, Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced on Tuesday.
Record Foodgrain Output in 2024–25
India’s total foodgrain production touched 353.96 million tonnes in 2024–25, marking a rise of 21.66 million tonnes (6.5%) over the previous year. The country registered record harvests in rice, wheat, maize, groundnut, and soybean, surpassing the set target by 12.41 million tonnes.
‘One Nation – One Agriculture – One Team’ Vision
Addressing the National Agriculture Conference – Rabi Abhiyan 2025, Chouhan said the conference reflected the spirit of “One Nation – One Agriculture – One Team”, where Centre and States collaborate for agricultural growth. The event, earlier a one-day exercise, was extended to two days this year to allow more detailed deliberations.
Rising Horticulture and Coordinated Efforts
Apart from foodgrain, fruit and vegetable production also registered a significant increase. Chouhan underlined that Centre and States will continue coordinated efforts to ensure farm growth and farmer welfare. He also assured full support to states affected by recent floods in Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Maharashtra, Assam, and parts of Haryana.
Six Major Themes at the Conference
The two-day Rabi Conference focused on six key themes:
- Climate resilience
- Quality seeds, fertilisers, and pesticides
- Horticulture expansion
- Natural farming
- Extension services and role of Krishi Vigyan Kendras
- Coordination of centrally sponsored schemes
Detailed discussions were also held on boosting pulses and oilseeds productivity and adopting integrated farming systems for sustainable growth.