Centre's preparations for Kharif crops in full swing; Kharif Conclave 2026

📌 Summary:

• Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan addressed press conference on Kharif Conclave 2026 at Pusa Complex, New Delhi (28-29 May 2026)
• Conclave brings together Centre, States/UTs, ICAR scientists, FPO representatives, agri think-tanks; previously a 1-day event, now extended to 2 days
• Regional approach: 3 regional conferences already held at Jaipur, Lucknow, Bhubaneswar; 2 more planned (North-East and South India); idea to move from 5 to 8 agro-climatic-zone-based regional conferences
• Foodgrain production estimate 2025-26: 3,765.63 lakh tonnes — ~188 lakh tonnes higher than last year, a historic record
• India now No. 1 in rice production globally — overtook China; rice output: 1,540.24 lakh tonnes; wheat: 1,206.57 lakh tonnes; maize: 550.92 lakh tonnes (record)
• Oilseeds: 430.59 lakh tonnes expected; groundnut: 130.74 lakh tonnes; rapeseed-mustard: 137.68 lakh tonnes (record); pulses also rising
• Self-reliance in pulses and oilseeds is top priority; separate missions for both will discuss seeds, seed replacement rate, demonstration, processing
• Horticulture: Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture and Cotton Mission also on agenda
• Climate change identified as a major challenge — erratic rainfall, rising heat; sustainable farming approaches to be discussed
• Focus: natural farming, soil health card, balanced fertilizer use (excess fertilizer due to lack of information); integrated farming model for small/marginal farmers

🎯 UPSC Relevance: GS3 Agriculture — cropping pattern; food security; climate-resilient agriculture; mission-mode programmes for pulses/oilseeds/horticulture; cooperative federalism in agriculture (a State subject with Centre as supporter); natural farming, soil health.

📝 Prelims Facts:

• Kharif Conclave 2026: 28-29 May 2026, NASC Pusa, New Delhi
• Foodgrain 2025-26 estimate: 3,765.63 lakh tonnes (record; +188 LT)
• Rice: 1,540.24 LT (India #1 globally); Wheat: 1,206.57 LT; Maize: 550.92 LT
• Oilseeds: 430.59 LT (Groundnut 130.74; Rapeseed-Mustard 137.68 — record)
• Regional Conferences: Jaipur, Lucknow, Bhubaneswar held; NE & South India pending
• Agro-climatic zones: ICAR classifies India into 8 broad zones (planning earlier used 5)
• Agriculture is a State subject in 7th Schedule (List II — Entry 14)
• Schemes referenced: Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture; Cotton Mission

🔑 Key Term: Seed Replacement Rate (SRR) — proportion of a crop's area sown with certified/quality seeds out of the total sown area in a season; raising SRR (esp. for pulses & oilseeds) is a key lever for productivity and import-substitution.