Eastern Regional Agriculture Conference Sets Agenda for Growth in Eastern India

Key Highlights

• Eastern Regional Agriculture Conference held in Bhubaneswar with participation from five eastern states
• Union Minister Chouhan outlined priorities including food security, crop diversification, and farmer income growth
• Initiatives announced for balanced fertilizer use, combating counterfeit inputs, and promoting integrated farming
• Odisha Chief Minister emphasized farmer-centric programs and crop diversification for sustainable agriculture
• Conference called for sharing best practices and strengthening market systems across Eastern India

The Eastern Regional Agriculture Conference began today in Bhubaneswar, led by Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi. The event brought together officials from Odisha, Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and West Bengal to address key agricultural challenges in Eastern India.

The conference focused on increasing pulse and oilseed production, integrated farming for small and marginal farmers, natural farming, farmer registration, horticulture, agricultural credit, marketing reforms, control of counterfeit inputs, and boosting farmer incomes.

Key Priorities and Policy Directions

Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan opened the conference, emphasizing that it was a platform for shaping new strategies for agriculture in Eastern India. He highlighted the region's fertile land, water resources, and diverse climate, stating these factors could help make Eastern India a growth engine for national agriculture.

Chouhan outlined three main priorities: food security for 1.4 billion people, providing nutritious food, and improving farmer livelihoods. He stressed the need to increase production, lower cultivation costs, ensure fair prices, compensate for losses, and diversify crops. The Minister called for a shift beyond paddy and wheat to pulses, oilseeds, fruits, vegetables, and other high-value crops.

He noted that integrated farming should become a practical approach for small landholders. Integrating agriculture with horticulture, fishing, animal husbandry, beekeeping, and agroforestry can raise incomes for small farmers. Chouhan urged ICAR and state officials to demonstrate integrated farming techniques to farmers.

The Minister also highlighted the importance of soil health and balanced fertilizer use. He warned that using fertilizers without soil testing increases costs and harms soil fertility. He asked states to promote fertilizer use based on scientific guidelines and encouraged natural farming practices.

Initiatives and State-Level Actions

Chouhan announced the launch of a nationwide 'Khet Bachao Abhiyan' from June 1, focusing on balanced fertilizer use, soil health, technology adoption, government scheme awareness, and farmer education. He stressed the need to prevent diversion of subsidized fertilizers and combat counterfeit seeds and pesticides. He called for stricter rules and stronger state action to ensure farmers receive quality inputs.

The Minister emphasized the potential for Eastern India to achieve self-sufficiency in pulses and oilseeds, provided farmers receive procurement support. He called for strengthening PM-AASHA, procurement systems, NAFED, NCCF, and state agencies. Chouhan also urged the use of scientific knowledge and technology through ICAR, Krishi Vigyan Kendras, and other institutes.

He praised the Farmer ID system for streamlining access to loans, fertilizers, and government benefits. Chouhan also highlighted the export potential of fruits, vegetables, and specialty crops from Eastern India.

State Perspectives and Future Goals

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said the conference offers eastern states a chance to develop a shared agricultural plan. He noted Odisha’s focus on pulse production, edible oil self-sufficiency, crop diversification, and agricultural development. Majhi outlined farmer-centric initiatives, including paddy procurement, input support, crop insurance, farm mechanization, FPO strengthening, and cold storage expansion.

Majhi described millets as a super food, suitable for tribal areas due to low water and fertilizer needs. He stressed the importance of organic farming, preserving traditional crops, restoring biodiversity, and promoting agri-entrepreneurship and improved marketing.

The conference concluded with a call for sharing best practices and innovations among eastern states to advance agricultural self-reliance and farmer success. The event highlighted the need for sustainable farming, balanced fertilizer use, integrated practices, and stronger market systems to support Eastern India's rural economy.