The Conference recommended that the States would ensure timely availability of inputs to farmers. They would also work to bring more area under boro rice and encourage farmers to plant wheat early. States that have received less rainfall during the monsoon season have been advised to implement the contingency plan already prepared and use the available soil moisture to sow crops that require less water. 

The National Conference on Agriculture for Rabi Campaign-2010 was organized on 17-18 September 2010 at NASC Complex, Pusa, New Delhi. The Conference was inaugurated by Shri Sharad Pawar, Union Agriculture Minister in which Minister of State (Agriculture) and Secretary, Department of Agriculture and Cooperation were also present. The two-day Conference was attended by Principal Secretaries/Secretaries (Agriculture) / Agriculture Production Commissioners from the State Governments, Senior Scientists from ICAR, Senior officers from Department of Agriculture and Cooperation (DAC), Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), Planning Commission, etc. 

Welcoming the participants, Secretary, DAC expressed satisfaction that due to good monsoon in most parts of the country, overall area coverage during current Kharif season is even better than 2008 which was a normal monsoon year. He mentioned that due to drought in Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal, overall production of Kharif rice in the country is not likely to be as much as initially expected. However, higher area coverage and good condition of rice crop in other States, particularly Punjab, Haryana and Western U.P., would help in achieving overall production during Kharif. In order to fully exploit the benefit of favourable moisture conditions in the Rabi season, he suggested to State Governments to adopt improved seeds and other agronomic practices recommended by ICAR. He highlighted the major initiatives taken by the Ministry in the form of Accelerated Pulse Production Programme and National Food Security Mission (NFSM) for promotion of pulses’ cultivation in the country to bridge the gap between its production and demand. He was happy to note that area coverage under pulses during current Kharif season is significantly higher and favorable Rabi conditions would help in achieving the higher target of production of 16.5 million tonnes during 2010-11. He emphasized the need to ensure adequate supply of seeds, fertilizers and micro-nutrients. He also emphasized the need to set up soil testing laboratories and promote use of organic fertilizers and distribute soil health cards to all farmers. Agriculture Secretary also urged the States to work in a campaign mode during the ensuing Rabi season. 

Minister of State (Agriculture) released three books namely; (i) Guidelines for Seed Production of Hybrid Rice, (ii) Handbook of Quality Seed Production of Stress Tolerant Rice and (iii) Drought-2009- Overview and Management. 

The Minister of State (Agriculture) stated that good monsoon during the current Kharif season will prove conducive for Rabi production. Emphasizing the need to increase productivity of rice, he mentioned that the Ministry is promoting use of high yielding varieties and hybrids through NFSM in collaboration with State Governments. He expressed concern over the slow growth in productivity of wheat, and hoped that the efforts made by DAC and ICAR would contribute towards the target of higher production of wheat in the coming years. He urged the State Governments to fully utilize enhanced budgetary provisions under various flagship schemes such as Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), NFSM, National Horticulture Mission (NHM), etc. to sustain the gains made by the Green Revolution. He advised all eastern States to take full advantage of the programme for extending Green Revolution to Eastern India and exploit the availability of natural resources in that region. 

Union Agriculture Minister presented awards for best performance in production and productivity in NFSM districts, to the States of Punjab (Western Region) and Bihar (Central Eastern) for wheat; Uttar Pradesh (Central Western), Andhra Pradesh (Southern) and Assam (Eastern) for Rice; and Maharashtra (Central Eastern), Tamil Nadu (Southern) and Orissa (Eastern) for pulses. 

Addressing the participants, Union Agriculture Minister stated that despite bad monsoon last year, production of foodgrains is likely to be around 218 million tonnes against the target of 239 million tonnes. During current year, though the overall rainfall situation in the country is good and effect on prices has been sobering, looking to the drought situation in States of Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal, the rice production is not likely to be as good as expected earlier. He urged the States to take full advantage of favourable conditions created by late monsoon rains to maximize production during Rabi season and assured that the Ministry would fully support them by ensuring timely availability of required inputs. He stated that increasing production and productivity of agricultural crops remains a challenge. He stressed upon the need to accelerate the pace of market reforms to create an enabling environment for farmers and agro-industry. He mentioned that there is a need to upscale the success achieved under ATMA and disseminate knowledge of best practices for adoption by the farmers to enhance production and productivity of crops. He strongly felt the need for reduction of wastage in storage, attracting private investment and ensuring better returns to farmers. He also felt that the real growth of agriculture sector can be ensured only if State Governments take focused initiatives for development of this sector and provide matching allocations under different programmes in the Agriculture and Allied Sector. He expressed confidence that the discussions during the Conference would significantly help in firming up comprehensive strategies which would be useful for the States in ensuring a robust Rabi performance and record production. 

Agriculture Commissioner presented a review of production prospects during current Kharif season and strategy for the ensuing Rabi season. Analyzing the status of rainfall, he emphasized that even in the areas of deficiency, the actual quantity of rainfall has been sufficient for growing crops other than rice during the current Kharif season. In such areas, the States should implement the contingency plan and cultivate pulses and oilseeds which require significantly lower amount of rain. He advised the States to utilize the soil moisture and go for early sowing of wheat in the rice fallows to derive maximum production. As temperature at the grain formation stage is extremely crucial for productivity of wheat, he suggested the States to prepare strategy to manage terminal heat impact on production of wheat. He expressed hope that better storage in major reservoirs would have significant impact in enhancing Rabi production. He also gave a detailed overview of Rabi strategy highlighting the ways to improve wheat productivity, more coverage under boro rice, enhancing productivity of pulses, oilseeds, fodder and cold wave/frost management etc. 

JS (Crops) made a presentation on extending Green Revolution to Eastern India and Pulse and Oilseeds Villages programme in Rain-fed areas. Director, Directorate of Wheat Research, Karnal made a presentation on region-wise strategies for increasing productivity of wheat. Director, National Centre of IPM made a presentation on the strategy for adopting plant protection measures for pulses. CMD, National Seeds Corporation made a presentation on production of hybrid rice seeds during the ensuing Rabi season. Detailed presentations were made by representatives of Karnataka, Haryana, Chhattisgarh, Tripura, U.P. and Maharashtra regarding the special initiatives taken by them for enhancing production and productivity of agricultural crops. 

In the interactive session with the ICAR, a number of State specific issues on plant protection, availability of quality seeds etc. were raised by the participants and detailed clarifications were given by the officials from ICAR and Department of Agriculture and Cooperation. 

Joint Secretary (Fertilizer) assured that all out efforts would be made to reach/ provide the required fertilizers to the farmers across various States. However, the States need to regularly review and monitor their availability and quality. 

Agriculture Secretary in his concluding remarks lauded the efforts and special initiatives taken up by the States in increasing production and productivity and urged the States to continue such efforts in the future to meet the food and nutritional security needs of the country.