Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare

August 5, 2026 10:40 AM

Farmers voice strong support for ethanol after meeting Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan

Farmer leaders from across the country have expressed strong support for the expansion of ethanol production, describing it as a major opportunity to boost farm incomes and strengthen India's energy security, during a meeting with Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan at Krishi Bhavan on Tuesday. A delegation of the All India Kisan Coordination Committee (AIKCC), comprising representatives from Punjab, Haryana, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Telang...

July 27, 2026 11:54 PM

Kharif sowing reaches 787.37 lakh hectares

The total area sown under kharif crops stood at 787.37 lakh hectares as of July 24, 2026, compared with 826.19 lakh hectares during the corresponding period last year, registering a decline of 38.82 lakh hectares, according to data released by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare. Among major crops, rice was sown across 234.43 lakh hectares, down from 240.62 lakh hectares during the same period in 2025, a decrease of 6.19 lakh hectares. The area under pulses also declined to 84.57 ...

July 23, 2026 10:44 AM

India successfully exports 12.5 tonnes of Dashehari and Langra mangoes to Dubai by sea, boosting farmers’ returns

India has achieved a major milestone in fresh fruit exports with the successful shipment of 12.5 tonnes of Dashehari and Langra mangoes from Amroha, Uttar Pradesh, to Dubai by sea, demonstrating the commercial viability of a new export protocol developed jointly by the ICAR–Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture (ICAR-CISH) and the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA). The consignment, exported in a 40-foot refrigerated container, was sent by S...

July 21, 2026 6:26 PM

Kharif sowing area crosses 658 lakh hectares as of July 17

The total area sown under kharif crops stood at 658.19 lakh hectares as of July 17, 2026, compared with 700.47 lakh hectares during the corresponding period last year, according to data released by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare on Tuesday. The latest figures show that while rice sowing has remained largely stable, acreage under pulses, coarse cereals, oilseeds and cotton has declined compared to the same period in 2025. Rice cultivation covered 166.41 lakh hectares, marginall...

July 16, 2026 5:12 PM

ICAR develops 386 improved crop varieties in a year, majority climate-resilient: Shivraj Singh Chouhan

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has developed 386 improved crop varieties across 44 crops over the past year, with 94 per cent being climate-resilient and 29 biofortified, said Union Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Thursday. Speaking at the 98th Foundation Day celebrations of ICAR in New Delhi, Chouhan described the premier agricultural research institution as the "trailblazer of India's agricultural transformation", crediting its scient...

July 13, 2026 4:30 PM

Shivraj Singh Chouhan to hold high-level talks with West Bengal CM on agriculture, rural development

Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan will undertake a two-day visit to West Bengal on July 13 and 14 to review key agriculture and rural development programmes, hold high-level discussions with the state government, and interact directly with jute farmers, agricultural scientists and women from Self-Help Groups (SHGs). Chouhan will arrive in Kolkata on the evening of July 13 and hold a dinner meeting with West Bengal Chief Minister Suve...

July 13, 2026 11:34 AM

Shivraj Singh Chouhan launches nationwide ‘Vriksh Mitra’ campaign to turn environmental protection into people’s movement

Union Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare and Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Sunday unveiled an ambitious roadmap to transform environmental conservation into a nationwide people's movement through the 'Vriksh Mitra Abhiyan', urging every citizen to plant at least one tree annually and inspire five others to join the campaign. Addressing nearly 17,000 'Vriksh Mitra' volunteers from across the country during the Environment Protection Resolve Programme and Vriksh Mitra Samvad a...

July 2, 2026 3:17 PM

Assam’s Borjuli wetland notified as Biodiversity Heritage Site for wild rice conservation

The Borjuli wetland in Assam, known for harbouring a disease and pest-resistant variety of wild rice, has been notified as a Biodiversity Heritage Site (BHS), marking a major milestone in the conservation of India's wild rice genetic resources. The wild rice species, Oryza rufipogon, is the progenitor of present-day cultivated rice, Oryza sativa. It is resistant to pests and diseases and can tolerate flooding and saline conditions, making it a valuable genetic resource for developing climate-re...

June 30, 2026 10:54 AM

Shivraj Singh Chouhan to visit flood-hit Arunachal Pradesh, chair high-level review meeting in Assam

Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan will undertake a two-day visit to the Northeast beginning June 30 to review the flood situation in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. The visit comes as the Centre steps up efforts to monitor the flood situation and expedite relief and rehabilitation measures in the affected states through on-ground assessment and coordinated action. According to the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Chouha...

June 30, 2026 10:51 AM

Shivraj Singh Chouhan to attend ‘Khet Bachao Abhiyan’ concluding ceremony in Haryana today

Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan will visit Bawal in Haryana's Rewari district on Tuesday to attend the concluding ceremony of the month-long nationwide 'Khet Bachao Abhiyan', where he will interact with farmers, agricultural scientists and experts. The Union Minister will begin his visit by touring an exhibition showcasing agriculture-related models and stalls highlighting modern farming practices, soil health management, crop pr...