The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has launched the Rabi 2026 campaign with a focus on coordinated planning between the Centre and States to improve agricultural production and farmer incomes. Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan addressed a two-day National Agriculture Conference in New Delhi on September 28, 2026, setting out a strategy that emphasizes water availability as the foundation for crop planning in the coming season.
The campaign comes at a time when several States are facing drought conditions and erratic rainfall patterns have raised concerns about water availability for irrigation. The Minister called for States to assess their water resources before finalizing crop plans and to prioritize less water-intensive crops like pulses and oilseeds in areas with limited irrigation potential.
Key facts
- National Agriculture Conference held on September 28-29, 2026 at NASC Complex, Pusa, New Delhi
- Conference attended by Union Ministers of State for Agriculture, Secretaries, ICAR officials and representatives from all States
- States asked to finalize Rabi crop plans by September 29, 2026
- Central teams will assess drought conditions in Karnataka on October 3 and in Maharashtra
- Around 9.54 crore farmer families covered under PM-KISAN scheme
- Current fertiliser subsidy spending stands at approximately Rs 2 lakh crore
- Urea priced at Rs 266 per bag and DAP at Rs 1,350 per bag under subsidy
- Green ammonia demonstrations planned across 10,000 acres in 37 districts of six States
Water budget as foundation for crop selection
The Minister stressed that before sowing begins, every State and district must calculate how much water is available for irrigation in the coming months. This assessment should directly determine which crops are planted where. In areas where water supply is limited, farmers should be encouraged to grow pulses and oilseeds, which need less irrigation. Regions with assured water supply can plan for crops with higher water requirements.
The concern is particularly acute in Maharashtra, where nearly two-thirds of the State has been affected by drought, and in Karnataka, which is facing drought-like conditions. Rainfed areas, which depend on soil moisture rather than irrigation, require especially careful planning. The Minister warned that sowing water-intensive crops in areas without adequate water availability would lead to crop failures and farmer losses.
Pulses and oilseeds to drive self-reliance
The campaign prioritizes increasing production of pulses and oilseeds to reduce India’s dependence on imports. The Minister asked all States to identify areas that remain fallow after paddy harvesting and to bring these under pulses cultivation, particularly crops like chana and masoor, or oilseeds like mustard. However, boosting production must go hand in hand with creating assured markets. States have been directed to finalize procurement arrangements in advance so farmers have confidence their produce will be bought at fair prices. The Centre has approved large-scale proposals for procurement under the Price Support Scheme, and nodal agencies NAFED and NCCF will step in with direct procurement from farmers if States are unable to do so.
Timely seed supply and quality varieties
The Minister identified quality seeds as a critical input often delayed in reaching farmers. States must immediately identify which seed varieties are suited to their regional and climate conditions, coordinate with ICAR institutions to procure these seeds in time, and distribute them before the sowing window closes. The problem identified is that some States neither place seed demands early nor lift available quantities, causing valuable seed varieties to arrive after planting has begun. A complete roadmap covering demand, procurement, distribution and variety selection must be prepared by each State with support from agricultural scientists.
Fertiliser discipline and soil health
The Minister called for balanced fertiliser use, noting that excessive application raises farm costs and damages soil health. He cited an ongoing initiative called Khet Bachao Abhiyan, originally launched during the Kharif season, which should be extended to Rabi to promote rational fertiliser application. Southern States have demonstrated that fertiliser use can be reduced without affecting production. The Centre is spending around Rs 2 lakh crore on fertiliser subsidies to keep prices low for farmers, and this support should be used responsibly. Timely availability of fertilisers, like seeds, is equally important.
Digital foundation for farmer support
Farmer ID and the agricultural digital stack (AgriStack) are being positioned as tools to improve delivery of government schemes and credit. Around 9.54 crore farmer families are enrolled under PM-KISAN, but Kisan Credit Card coverage remains low in several areas, particularly among small and marginal farmers. The Ministry is pushing States to close gaps in credit access. States are also being asked to accelerate completion of Farmer ID registration, including detailed land parcel records, to create a robust digital platform that can help identify farmers’ problems and tailor solutions.
Weekly monitoring and real-time response
To detect and respond to problems quickly, States have been asked to conduct weekly monitoring of crop conditions, sowing progress, pest and disease outbreaks, and market prices. The Ministry conducts similar reviews at the national level to enable timely intervention if issues emerge.
What this means for you
If you are a farmer, this campaign aims to ensure you receive quality seeds and fertilisers on time, that your crop choice matches available water, and that procurement arrangements exist before you harvest. If you farm in drought-prone areas, expect officials to assess water availability and help plan less water-intensive crops. Access to institutional credit through Kisan Credit Cards is being strengthened. If you grow pulses or oilseeds, market support through guaranteed procurement is being emphasized. If you are pursuing natural farming, States are being pushed to develop brand recognition and certification support for your products.
What happens next
States must finalize their Rabi crop plans by September 29, 2026. On the same day, the Agriculture Minister will hold detailed discussions with State Agriculture Ministers to finalize implementation strategies. A Central team will assess drought conditions in Karnataka on October 3. The two-day conference will conclude with preparation of a national action plan for Rabi production and farmer empowerment.