Eastern India to lead India’s next agri growth push, Says Shivraj Singh Chouhan

Bhubaneswar: The Centre is looking at Eastern India as the next big driver of agricultural growth, with Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan calling for a sharper focus on crop diversification, sustainable farming and farmer-centric reforms across the region.

Speaking at the Eastern Regional Agriculture Conference in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday, Chouhan said states such as Odisha, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal and Chhattisgarh have the natural advantage to lead India’s next agricultural expansion due to fertile soil, strong water availability and favourable climatic conditions.

The minister stressed that agriculture in the region cannot remain dependent only on paddy cultivation. Instead, he pushed for expansion in pulses, oilseeds, horticulture and integrated farming models to improve farmer incomes and reduce import dependence.

“Agriculture has to move beyond traditional patterns. Farmers need diversified income sources and better market assurance,” Chouhan said during the conference.

He also announced that the Centre will launch a nationwide ‘Khet Bachao Abhiyan’ from June 1, aimed at promoting balanced fertiliser use, soil health awareness and modern farming practices.

The campaign will focus on reducing excessive chemical fertiliser usage, which officials say is increasing cultivation costs while damaging soil fertility over time. The minister also warned against the growing circulation of fake seeds and counterfeit agrochemicals, calling them a direct threat to farmers.

A major part of the discussion revolved around boosting domestic production of pulses and edible oil crops. Chouhan said eastern states could play a critical role in helping India reduce import dependence, but added that farmers would need assured procurement support to shift away from traditional crops.

The Centre is expected to strengthen procurement support under schemes such as PM-AASHA through agencies including NAFED and NCCF.

The minister also highlighted the importance of Farmer ID systems for streamlining access to subsidies, credit and government schemes through a unified digital database.

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, who co-chaired the conference, said eastern states must jointly work towards climate-resilient agriculture, value-added farming and stronger rural infrastructure.

He highlighted Odisha’s ongoing efforts in millet promotion, organic farming, cold-chain expansion and support for Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs).

The regional conference brought together policymakers and agriculture officials from multiple eastern states to discuss long-term strategies for sustainable agricultural growth and rural income generation.