India Creates Separate Missions for Pulses and Oilseeds Ahead of Kharif 2026 Season

Government reviews seeds, climate resilience, farm credit, digital agriculture and support systems during National Kharif Campaign Conclave

29 May 2026, New Delhi: The Government of India has established separate national missions for pulses and oilseeds as part of its strategy to strengthen domestic production and improve agricultural self-sufficiency. The initiatives were highlighted during the National Kharif Campaign 2026 Conclave, where policymakers, scientists and state governments reviewed priorities and preparedness for the upcoming monsoon cropping season.

Addressing the conclave, Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said discussions are underway with state governments on improving seed availability, increasing seed replacement rates, expanding demonstration programmes and strengthening processing infrastructure for pulses and oilseeds.

The minister said the dedicated missions are intended to support production growth and address supply challenges in crops that remain important for India’s food security and agricultural economy.

Focus on Seeds and Production Planning

According to Chouhan, the conclave is reviewing measures to improve access to quality seeds and accelerate the adoption of improved crop varieties. Discussions are also focusing on strengthening extension efforts and ensuring that production enhancement programmes are effectively implemented at the farm level.

The deliberations form part of India’s broader Kharif strategy, which seeks to align national and state-level agricultural priorities ahead of the sowing season.

Horticulture and Cotton Also Under Review

The minister said the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture and the Cotton Mission are also part of the discussions.

India’s agriculture ministry is assessing opportunities to strengthen horticulture development while reviewing measures aimed at improving productivity and support systems for cotton growers. The discussions are expected to contribute to future planning for these sectors.

Climate Change Remains a Major Challenge

Climate variability emerged as a key theme during the conclave. Chouhan said changing weather patterns, erratic rainfall and rising temperatures are creating new challenges for agricultural production across the country.

Participants are discussing strategies to improve resilience and help farmers adapt to changing climatic conditions. The objective is to safeguard productivity while reducing risks associated with weather-related disruptions.

Natural Farming and Soil Health Receive Attention

The conclave is also examining the role of natural farming, soil health management and balanced fertiliser use in sustaining agricultural productivity.

Chouhan noted that excessive fertiliser application remains a concern in some areas due to limited awareness about crop nutrient requirements. Discussions are therefore focusing on promoting scientific nutrient management practices and wider use of soil health assessment tools.

Improving Incomes of Smallholders

With small and marginal farmers accounting for a large share of India’s agricultural holdings, policymakers are evaluating integrated farming approaches aimed at improving farm profitability.

The minister said integrated farming systems can help farmers generate higher returns from limited land resources by combining multiple agricultural enterprises and making more efficient use of available inputs.

Expanding Access to Credit and Infrastructure

The availability of agricultural finance and post-harvest infrastructure is another key area under discussion.

Chouhan said farmers require access to credit not only for crop production but also for post-harvest management and risk mitigation. He noted that significant variations continue to exist among states in the distribution of agricultural credit.

The conclave is also reviewing the implementation of the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund, the Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA), digital agriculture initiatives, Farmer ID programmes and measures to strengthen Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs).

Towards a Joint Kharif Roadmap

State governments have been divided into working groups to discuss sector-specific issues and regional priorities. The outcomes of these discussions will be presented before state agriculture ministers and senior officials.

According to the ministry, the exercise is expected to contribute to a joint agricultural roadmap for the 2026 Kharif season, outlining priorities for crop production, resource management and farmer support.

The proposed “Khet Bachao Abhiyan” (Save Farmland Campaign) will also be discussed during the conclave as part of efforts to achieve agricultural production targets through coordinated action between the Government of India and state governments.

Also Read: China’s Fertilizer Trade Sees Strong Export Growth in Jan–April 2026, Potash Imports Remain Critical

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