Rabi 2026: centre pushes data-driven crop planning, pulses and oilseeds

Government Announcements & Schemes

New Delhi: As the Rabi sowing season approaches, the Centre has asked States to move away from conventional crop planning and adopt a more data-driven approach based on water availability, soil moisture, climate conditions and market demand. Addressing the two-day National Agriculture Conference - Rabi Campaign 2026 in New Delhi, Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan stressed that timely availability of quality seeds, fertilisers and irrigation, along with assured procurement, will be critical to protecting farm incomes during the upcoming season. A major focus of the meeting was water- based crop planning. States and districts have been asked to assess available irrigation water before finalising crop plans. In water-stressed and rainfed regions, the government is encouraging relatively less water-intensive crops, particularly pulses and oilseeds. The Centre has also raised concerns over drought conditions in Maharashtra and Karnataka. Central teams are scheduled to assess the ground situation in Karnataka on October 3, while a separate team will visit Maharashtra. The government has called for separate strategies for rainfed and irrigated areas in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. With India seeking greater self-reliance in pulses and edible oils, States have been asked to expand cultivation of crops such...