Kharif season 2026: centre to hold national agriculture conference in Delhi from May 28

New Delhi, May 27: With the kharif sowing season around the corner, the Centre is set to hold a two-day national agriculture conference in Delhi from May 28 to chalk out crop strategies, review monsoon preparedness and push states to focus on productivity and climate-resilient farming.

The meeting, to be held at the NASC Complex in Pusa, will bring together Agriculture Ministers, senior officials, agricultural scientists and policymakers from States and Union Territories. Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan will chair the conference.

Officials said the discussions will centre around key concerns ahead of the kharif season, including seed availability, fertiliser supply, water management and crop diversification. The Centre is also expected to push for higher production of pulses and oilseeds to reduce import dependence.

Apart from crop planning, the conference will focus on natural farming, digital agriculture, climate adaptation and improving access to agricultural credit and crop insurance. State governments are likely to present their preparedness plans and share region-specific challenges linked to rainfall, irrigation and farm inputs.

The meeting comes at a time when the government is increasing emphasis on sustainable farming practices and improving resilience against erratic weather patterns. Discussions are also expected on improving coordination between the Centre and States for smoother implementation of agriculture schemes during the upcoming season.

The kharif season, which begins with the onset of the southwest monsoon, is crucial for crops such as paddy, maize, cotton, soybean and pulses.