Centre to Hold Zonal Agriculture Conferences to Boost Farmer Incomes and Policy Coordination

In a major push to strengthen India's agriculture ecosystem, the Government of India is set to roll out a nationwide series of region-wise Zonal Agriculture Conferences during April–May 2026, aimed at enhancing Centre–State coordination, accelerating innovation, and aligning policies with ground realities.

The initiative, launched under the guidance of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and led by Union Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, will bring together a wide spectrum of stakeholders—from policymakers to farmers—to shape the next phase of agricultural transformation in the country.

A Nationwide Dialogue Platform

The conferences are designed as a structured, multi-stakeholder platform for:

• Reviewing progress of key central schemes

• Identifying implementation gaps at the grassroots level

• Formulating region-specific strategies

• Promoting collaboration between governments, scientists, and industry

Participants will include Union and State Agriculture Ministers, senior officials, ICAR scientists, Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) experts, NABARD representatives, banks, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), agri-startups, private sector players, and progressive farmers.

Region-Wise Rollout: Jaipur to Guwahati

The conference series will cover all major regions of the country:

• Western Region (April 7, Jaipur)

  • States: Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa

  • Participation of Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma

• Northern Region (April 17, Lucknow)

  • States/UTs: Delhi, Chandigarh, Jammu & Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Ladakh, Punjab, Uttarakhand

• Eastern Region (April 24, Bhubaneswar)

  • States: Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal

• Southern & North-Eastern Regions (End-May)

  • Conferences scheduled in Hyderabad and Guwahati

This region-specific approach aims to address diverse agro-climatic conditions, cropping patterns, and local challenges across India.

Focus on Key National Missions

Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan highlighted that the conferences will focus on strengthening the implementation of major agricultural initiatives, including:

• Aatmanirbhar Dalhan Mission (self-reliance in pulses)

• National Edible Oil Mission

• Natural Farming Mission

• Digital Agriculture Mission

The discussions will also cover critical areas such as:

• Irrigation efficiency and water management

• Fertiliser availability and distribution

• Development of Agri-Stack and digital platforms

• Horticulture expansion

• Strengthening value chains and market linkages

Sharing Best Practices Across States

A key feature of the conferences will be the exchange of successful models and innovations adopted by different states. These include:

• Efficient irrigation systems

• Digital agriculture solutions

• Farmer-centric value chain development

• Sustainable farming practices

Such knowledge-sharing is expected to enable replication of proven models across regions, improving overall productivity and efficiency.

Farmer-Centric, Participatory Approach

The initiative emphasizes direct engagement with farmers, providing them a platform to share:

• Field-level challenges

• Practical solutions

• Market-related insights

This participatory model ensures that policy decisions are grounded in real-world experiences, enhancing both transparency and accountability.

Driving Innovation and Investment

According to the Agriculture Minister, the zonal conferences are expected to:

• Accelerate technology adoption in farming

• Promote agri-startups and private sector participation

• Attract investment in rural and agri-infrastructure

• Boost productivity and farmer incomes

"Meaningful agricultural progress can only be achieved through continuous field-level engagement," Shri Chouhan stated, noting his ongoing efforts to interact directly with farmers and stakeholders across states.

Towards Sustainable and Inclusive Growth

The conference series aligns with the broader vision of building a resilient, self-reliant, and technology-driven agriculture sector, contributing to:

• Higher farmer incomes

• Sustainable rural development

• Strengthened food and nutritional security

By integrating policy, science, and grassroots participation, the initiative is poised to serve as a catalyst for the next phase of India's agricultural transformation.