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Agriculture Minister Sets Targets for Rabi Season 2024
Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan inaugurated the National Conference on Agriculture for the Rabi Campaign 2024 at NASC Complex, New Delhi. The conference brought together stakeholders to discuss crop performance from past seasons and set ambitious targets for the upcoming rabi season. Emphasis was placed on innovative farming practices and digital solutions to enhance crop production and productivity.
Focus on Organic and Natural Farming
Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan urged a shift towards organic and natural farming to increase productivity while reducing reliance on chemicals and fertilizers. He stressed the importance of increasing per hectare yield, reducing production costs, and ensuring fair prices for farmers. A key objective discussed was India’s aspiration to become the world’s largest food basket, with a national food grain production target of 341.55 million tonnes for 2024-25.
Innovations in Agri-Tech and Digital Agriculture
The conference featured discussions on leveraging technology, such as drones for crop monitoring and nano urea application. Key initiatives highlighted included the National Pest Surveillance System (NPSS) for real-time pest management, the Integrated Pesticide Management System (IPMS), and the SATHI portal for seed traceability. These innovations aim to boost productivity and ensure quality inputs in the agricultural sector.
Boosting Oilseed and Pulse Production
A significant focus was placed on improving oilseed and pulse production to meet the rising demand and reduce imports. The Government plans to increase oilseed production from 39.2 MMT in 2022-23 to 69.7 MMT by 2030-31. Research on short-duration, high-yield seed varieties and enhanced mechanization for cultivation were emphasized as key strategies.
The conference also served as a platform for states to raise concerns and propose actionable solutions, ensuring that the upcoming rabi season will be productive and efficient. Key issues discussed included ensuring the quality of agricultural inputs and supporting farmers affected by recent natural disasters.
