Centre–State Synergy Ushers in a New Era of Agriculture; Reform Agenda to Resonate from Jaipur

Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan Launches Landmark Initiative to Unite Policy, Science, and Field Experience on One Platform

Regional Agriculture Conferences Focused on Farmers’ Income, Technology, and Innovation to Begin from April 7: Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan

Nationwide Conference Series from Jaipur to Guwahati; Next Stops in Lucknow, Bhubaneswar, and Hyderabad: Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan

Under the guidance of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and the leadership of Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, the Government of India is set to roll out a comprehensive nationwide series of region-wise Regional Conferences during April–May 2026. These conferences will serve as an important platform for structured dialogue, review, and future planning in the agriculture sector. The initiative aims to bring together Union and State Agriculture Ministers, senior officials, scientists, progressive farmers, farmer organisations, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), agri-startups, and private sector stakeholders to jointly review the progress of key schemes and formulate forward-looking strategies based on field-level insights.

Conference Series: From Jaipur to Guwahati

Sharing details, Shri Chouhan informed that the first Zonal Conference for the Western Region will be held on April 7, 2026, in Jaipur. Representatives from Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Goa will participate. The conference will be attended by Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, along with Agriculture Ministers and senior officials of the participating states.

The Northern Region Conference will be organised on April 17 in Lucknow, covering Delhi, Chandigarh, Jammu & Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Ladakh, Punjab, and Uttarakhand.

The Eastern Region Conference is scheduled for April 24 in Bhubaneswar, with participation from Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and West Bengal. The series will continue towards the end of May with conferences in Hyderabad and Guwahati, focusing on the specific needs and opportunities of the Southern and North-Eastern regions.

Objective: Strengthening Implementation and Farmers’ Prosperity

Shri Chouhan stated that the primary objective of these Zonal Conferences is to further strengthen Centre–State coordination and ensure effective implementation of central schemes in accordance with local requirements, in line with the vision of Prime Minister Modi. Key focus areas will include the Aatmanirbhar Dalhan Mission, National Edible Oil Mission, Natural Farming Mission, and the Digital Agriculture Mission. The conferences will also facilitate identification of implementation challenges and enable timely resolution through collaborative decision-making. In addition, successful models adopted by states in areas such as irrigation, fertiliser distribution, agri-stack development, horticulture, and value chain management will be shared to enable replication across regions.

Inclusive Participation and Forward Strategy

The conferences will witness participation from a wide range of stakeholders, including State Agriculture Ministers, senior officials, scientists from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), experts from Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), representatives from the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) and banks, along with progressive farmers, FPOs, agri-startups, and private enterprises. Interactive sessions will provide farmers with a direct platform to share their experiences and suggestions, ensuring that policy decisions are informed by both grassroots realities and market requirements. This participatory approach is expected to enhance transparency, accountability, and effectiveness in implementation.

Expressing confidence in the initiative, Shri Chouhan said that these Zonal Conferences will accelerate innovation, investment, and adoption of technology in agriculture, thereby contributing to higher farmer incomes, improved productivity, and sustainable rural development. He further emphasised that meaningful progress in agriculture can only be achieved through continuous engagement at the field level. Since assuming office, Shri Chouhan has consistently undertaken visits across states, engaging directly with farmers, scientists, and stakeholders to ensure that policies remain practical, responsive, and outcome-oriented.