Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Odisha CM Shri Mohan Charan Majhi Inaugurate Eastern Regional Agriculture Conference in Bhubaneswar

📌 Summary:

• Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi inaugurated the Eastern Regional Agriculture Conference in Bhubaneswar, bringing together Odisha, Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and West Bengal to shape an agricultural roadmap for Eastern India.

• The conference focused on increasing pulses and oilseeds production, integrated farming for small and marginal farmers, natural farming, the farmer registry, horticulture, agricultural credit, marketing reforms, control of fake agricultural inputs and raising farmers' income.

• Chouhan said agriculture cannot remain confined to paddy and wheat, and that diversification towards pulses, oilseeds, fruits and vegetables is essential; he called Eastern India a potential growth engine of Indian agriculture, given its fertile land, water resources and diverse climate.

• He stressed soil health and balanced fertilizer use under the slogan Save Farms, Save Soil, Save Farmers, announced a nationwide Khet Bachao Abhiyan from 1 June, and called fake fertilizers, spurious pesticides and substandard seeds serious crimes against farmers.

• He highlighted Farmer ID for transparent and faster delivery of loans, fertilizers and scheme benefits, and called for strengthening procurement through PM-AASHA, NAFED and NCCF to assure pulses and oilseeds farmers.

• Odisha CM Majhi emphasised crop diversification, millets as a super food (low water and fertilizer needs, beneficial for tribal regions), organic farming, strengthening of Farmer Producer Organisations, cold storage and the Purvodaya vision for the East.

🎯 UPSC Relevance: GS3 — Agriculture; crop diversification, soil health, procurement and MSP, farmer welfare, and regional agricultural development.

📝 Prelims Facts:

• The Eastern Regional Agriculture Conference was held in Bhubaneswar; participating states were Odisha, Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and West Bengal.

• A nationwide Khet Bachao Abhiyan is to be launched from 1 June 2026.

• PM-AASHA supports the procurement of pulses and oilseeds; NAFED and NCCF are procurement agencies.

• Farmer ID consolidates a farmer's land, family and other details on a single digital platform.

🔑 Key Term: Integrated farming — combining crop cultivation with horticulture, fisheries, animal husbandry, beekeeping and agro-forestry on the same holding to raise and stabilise farm incomes.