Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan chaired the Eastern Regional Agriculture Conference held in Bhubaneswar on May 19, 2026. The conference focused on strengthening agricultural coordination between the Centre and eastern states while promoting digital agriculture, oilseed self-reliance, natural farming, and sustainable rural development.
Major Highlights
- The Eastern Regional Agriculture Conference brought together agriculture ministers, policymakers, and senior officials from eastern Indian states to discuss regional agricultural priorities and reforms.
- Mohan Charan Majhi attended the conference along with representatives from Bihar, West Bengal, and Jharkhand.
- A major area of discussion was the National Mission on Edible Oils–Oilseeds (NMEO-OS), which aims to reduce India’s dependence on imported edible oils and increase domestic oilseed production.
- The Union Agriculture Minister reviewed progress under the Digital Agriculture Mission, emphasizing the creation of a centralized Farmer Registry for streamlined delivery of government schemes and direct benefit transfers.
- Deliberations also focused on the Aatmanirbhar Dalhan Mission, which seeks to increase pulse production in order to strengthen nutritional security and ensure stable income opportunities for farmers.
- The conference addressed major supply chain and regulatory challenges, including measures to curb the sale of counterfeit pesticides and prevent black marketing of fertilizers.
- Odisha showcased innovative agricultural extension models, while West Bengal presented successful practices related to high-quality seed production and distribution systems.
- Jharkhand highlighted the role of Farmer Producer Organisations in developing value chains, whereas Bihar shared its achievements in maize production and agricultural marketing.
- Participants discussed expanding coverage under the Kisan Credit Card Scheme and strengthening implementation of the PM-AASHA programme to ensure better price support for farmers.
- The conference also promoted the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) as a strategy for improving soil health, reducing chemical input dependency, and lowering cultivation costs for small and marginal farmers.
Important Terms
- PM-AASHA: Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan, a government scheme designed to ensure remunerative prices for farmers through procurement support and price deficiency payments.
- Digital Agriculture Mission: A Government of India initiative focused on integrating digital technologies, databases, and precision farming tools into the agricultural sector.
- National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF): A national programme aimed at promoting sustainable, chemical-free farming practices to improve soil fertility and reduce farming costs.
