The Impressive TimesBhubaneswar, May 19, 2026: Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Monday said Eastern India has the potential to emerge as the driving force of the country’s agricultural growth, provided the region adopts diversified, technology-driven and sustainable farming practices.
Addressing the Eastern Regional Agriculture Conference held at Bhubaneswar’s Mayfair Convention Centre, the Union Minister emphasized the need for coordinated efforts among eastern states to improve farmers’ incomes, strengthen food security and promote climate-resilient agriculture. The event was jointly inaugurated by Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and attended by representatives from Odisha, Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and West Bengal.
The conference deliberated on a range of agricultural priorities, including boosting pulses and oilseeds production, promoting integrated farming, strengthening horticulture, improving agricultural marketing systems and tackling the growing menace of fake farm inputs.
Speaking at the event, Chouhan described the gathering as an important platform for shaping a long-term agricultural roadmap for Eastern India. Referring to the region’s fertile land, abundant water resources and favourable climate, he said these strengths could significantly contribute to India’s agricultural expansion.
The Union Minister stressed that agriculture should move beyond conventional dependence on paddy and wheat cultivation. He called for greater emphasis on pulses, oilseeds, fruits, vegetables and other high-value crops to enhance farmers’ earnings and reduce import dependence.
Highlighting the challenges posed by small landholdings in eastern states, Chouhan advocated integrated farming models combining agriculture with fisheries, horticulture, livestock rearing, beekeeping and agro-forestry. According to him, such diversified systems could provide better and more stable income opportunities for small and marginal farmers.
He also underlined the importance of balanced fertilizer usage and soil conservation, warning that excessive and unscientific use of fertilizers damages soil fertility and raises cultivation costs. Stressing sustainable agriculture, he announced that a nationwide “Khet Bachao Abhiyan” would begin from June 1 to promote soil health awareness, scientific farming methods and proper use of subsidized fertilizers.
Chouhan strongly condemned the circulation of fake fertilizers, counterfeit pesticides and poor-quality seeds, describing them as “serious crimes against farmers.” He said both the Centre and states would intensify action against such practices and work towards stricter enforcement mechanisms.
The Minister further highlighted the importance of strengthening procurement systems for pulses and oilseeds through agencies such as NAFED and NCCF to encourage farmers to expand cultivation in these sectors. He also stressed the need for faster dissemination of agricultural research and modern technologies through ICAR institutions and Krishi Vigyan Kendras.
Speaking on digital reforms in agriculture, Chouhan said the Farmer ID initiative would simplify access to loans, fertilizers and government welfare schemes by creating an integrated database of farmers and their land records.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, while addressing the conference, said the event offered eastern states a valuable opportunity to prepare a common agricultural development strategy focused on productivity, sustainability and farmer welfare.
He noted that Odisha remains heavily dependent on agriculture for livelihoods and economic growth, adding that the state government is focusing on climate-resilient and farmer-centric policies. The Chief Minister highlighted initiatives related to crop diversification, edible oil production, millet promotion, organic farming, crop insurance, farm mechanization and strengthening of Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs).
Majhi also emphasized the importance of improving storage, marketing and value-addition infrastructure in view of rising paddy procurement in the state. He said millets, which require less water and fertilizer, are proving particularly beneficial in tribal regions and should receive greater policy support.
The conference was attended by Union Ministers of State for Agriculture Bhagirath Choudhary and Ramnath Thakur, Odisha Deputy Chief Minister and Agriculture Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, along with senior officials, agricultural scientists, farmer representatives, FPOs, startups, NABARD officials and banking institutions.
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