National Rabi Campaign 2024: Target of 341.55 Million Tonnes for Food Grain Production Set

Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan officially opened the National Conference on Agriculture for the Rabi Campaign 2024 at the NASC Complex in New Delhi. The conference focused on reviewing past crop performances and establishing crop-specific targets for the upcoming Rabi season, while also discussing innovative agricultural practices and digital initiatives to enhance the supply of essential agri-inputs and boost overall production.

Emphasis on Organic Farming and Reducing Production Costs

In his address, Shri Chouhan stressed the need to reduce dependence on chemicals and enhance productivity through organic and natural farming. He highlighted the necessity of increasing per hectare yields while reducing production costs, stating, "We must provide farmers with fair prices while minimizing transportation costs to bridge the gap between procurement and sale prices." He announced that the national food grain production target for 2024-25 has been set at 341.55 million tonnes, with an emphasis on leveraging agro-climatic conditions to boost production.

Urgent Support for Farmers Affected by Natural Disasters

Agriculture State Minister Shri Ramnath Thakur called on state governments to swiftly implement measures to support farmers affected by floods and cyclones. He emphasized the necessity of maintaining high-quality agri-inputs and urged senior officials and researchers to assess the inputs currently available in the market.

Focus on Increasing Oilseed and Pulse Production

Agriculture State Minister Shri Bhagirath Choudhary expressed gratitude to research organizations for their ongoing efforts to achieve self-sufficiency in pulse and oilseed production. He noted that the government's target is to increase oilseed production from 39.2 million metric tonnes (MMT) in 2022-23 to 69.7 MMT by 2030-31 to meet domestic demand.

Promoting Advanced Technology and Mechanization

The conference included discussions with state representatives on increasing pulse and oilseed production, digital agriculture platforms, and seed certification. The government aims to expand the area under oilseed cultivation from 29 million hectares to 33 million hectares and improve yields from 1,353 kg/hectare to 2,112 kg/hectare. Additionally, discussions focused on mechanization and the development of high-yield seed varieties.

Showcasing Agri-Tech Innovations

Innovative technologies such as the National Pest Surveillance System (NPSS) and the Integrated Pest Management System (IPMS) were highlighted. The NPSS aims to predict and manage pest outbreaks, while the IPMS focuses on ensuring pesticide quality. The SATHI portal was also presented as a tool to guarantee the quality of seed production and distribution through certification and traceability.

Highlighting the Use of Drones and Climate-Resilient Seeds

Secretary of Fertilizers Shri Rajat Kumar Mishra emphasized the use of drones for nano-urea application and crop monitoring. Dr. Himanshu Pathak, Secretary of DARE and Director-General of ICAR, urged states to adopt bio-fortified and climate-resilient seed varieties to enhance agricultural productivity.

Challenges and Solutions Presented by States

The conference concluded with discussions involving state agriculture ministers and senior officials, where they presented challenges and solutions to increase crop coverage, yield, and production in their respective states. This conference is viewed as a significant step towards aligning agricultural policies and practices with the goal of making India the world's largest food basket.