Minutes of National Conferene On Agriculture For Rabi Campaign - 2018-19
Minutes of National Conferene On Agriculture For Rabi Campaign - 2018-19
Minutes of National Conferene On Agriculture For Rabi Campaign - 2018-19
The National Conference on Agriculture for Rabi Campaign-2018-19 was held on 18th and 19th
September, 2018 at NASC Complex, Pusa, New Delhi. The Conference was inaugurated by Shri Parshottam
Rupala Hon’ble Minister of State, Agriculture and Farmers Welfare in the august presence of Smt. Krishna Raj,
Hon’ble Ministers of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. Secretary, Department of Agriculture,
Cooperation and Farmers Welfare chaired the conference. The Conference was attended by Agriculture
Agriculture Marketing from State/UT Governments, Senior Scientists from ICAR and Senior officers & officials
2. Secretary, Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare (DAC&FW) welcomed all
participants and briefed them about the initiatives taken by the Ministry for achieving the goal of the government
for doubling the income of farmers by the year, 2022. He desired that both Central and State Governments have
to take concerted efforts to ensure higher income to the farmers as well as to take steps for reducing the cost of
farming. He thanked the officials of the State Governments and farmers for achieving the target of highest ever
level of production of foodgrains especially the record increase in the production of pulses which helped in
reducing the import substantially. He impressed that our continued efforts for pulses production and the
production of nutri-cereals & oil seeds should be emphasized and we should also explore the opportunities for
export of sugar and cotton so that farmers could get better return.
He mentioned about recently approved ‘Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan’ by the
Government which aimed at ensuring remunerative prices to the farmers for their produce. He desired that
measures should be taken up for tackling bio-mass burning in states of Delhi, Punjab, Haryana and UP and
further to bring rice fallow under pulses and oilseed production. He underlined the need to tackle/control Army
worm. He also informed regarding launch of Krishi Kalyan Abhiyan phase-II from 2nd October, 2018. State
Government representatives were also requested to send proposal for allocation of Rs. 5000 crore under micro
irrigation and seriously follow up the matter so that benefits under Pradhan Mantri Fasal Beema Yojana should
reach to the farmers. He lauded the efforts for increased horticulture production and urged the states to take up
their priority work under RKVY- RAFTAAR. He also requested the states to take up steps for production of millets
3. In her address, Smt. Krishan Raj, Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare appreciated the
role of officials of the Central and State Governments in making the efforts for achieving the vision of the Hon’ble
Prime Minister for ‘Doubling the income of farmers by the year 2022’. She commended the efforts for achieving
self sufficiency in pulses. She emphasized on use of biological and organic manure and impressed states to
take benefits of the scheme viz. organic farming, tree on the bunds and Soil Health Card Scheme. Hon’ble MOS
hoped that initiative taken for establishment of Gramin Haat/E-market would help in removal of involvement of
middle man. She urged the states to make efforts for making farmers self dependent through involvement in
animal husbandry, dairy and fisheries activities promoted by the Government. She emphasized to propagate new
technologies and greater need for involvement of woman self help groups in agriculture and allied activities.
4. In his inaugural address, Hon’ble Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Shri Parsottam
Rupala thanked the officers and officials of Central/State Governments and to the farmers for achieving record
production of food grains. He lauded the initiatives taken by the Government for effectively implementing flagship
schemes of Government on ground level for achieving the goal of doubling the income of farmers. He mentioned
that Soil Health Card scheme and the Pradha Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana are receiving attention even at
international fora. He impressed that besides increasing production, efforts need to be made to pass on the
benefits to the farmers by fetching better prices by exporting their produce. He thanked the officials of the
Ministry for the successful organization of Krishi Kalyan Abhiyan. He expressed hope for successful planning for
rabi crops which is dependent on the irrigation facilities so that farmer should get increased income with
increasing production of various rabi crops. He emphasized that state should make concerted efforts for
production of honey and establish micro irrigation facilities. State should be prompt in giving benefits to farmers
in case of natural calamity. He hoped that the deliberation and discussion with the officials of State Government
would be a success.
5. On this occasion, three books namely, Pulses Production, Pulses in India- Retrospect and Prospect and
Farmers Friendly Handbook- 2018-19 were released by Hon’ble Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers’
6. Agriculture Commissioner made a detailed presentation on the Kharif 2018 and prospects for Rabi
2018-19. He explained in detail regarding prepositioning of inputs for timely sowing and better harvesting of
7. Presentations were made by Joint Secretaries/other experts of this Department on schemes namely
Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana-RAFTAAR, DBT in agriculture, E-National Agriculture Market/Rural Haats, Soil
Health Card, Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, Micro Irrigation, Pradhan Mantri Aannadata Aay Sanrakshan
Abhiyan (PM-AASHA), MSP for nutria-cereals and Krishi Kalyan Abhiyan. After presentation the issues
raised/clarification sought by representative of states were appropriately replied by the respective Joint
Secretaries/officers.
8. To facilitate focused deliberations, following five focused Groups were constituted with the help of the
I. Strategy for sustained production of Rabi Pulses in 2018-19 and increasing area coverage under
II. Important agroforestry models including agronomics-experience cross sharing States, CAFRI
(including All India Coordinated Research Project) and development of value chain under
III To develop & upgrade rural haats as GrAMs- road ahead and implementation of National
Agricultural Market(E-NAM).
V. Certification, value chain development and marketing of organic products with special reference to
Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) and Mission Organic Value Chain Development for
plenary, presided by the Secretary (AC&FW). These recommendations were discussed in detail by the
participants in the open house session. The group recommendations are detailed at Annexure-II.
10. The presentations made by Joint Secretary/other experts of this Department as well as presentations
made by group leaders on identified five topics have been uploaded on the website of this Department
www.agricoop.nic.in .
11. Secretary, AC&FW in his concluding remarks thanked the representatives of states Governments for
their participation and suggestions given with seriousness. He desired that follow up action would be taken by
the concerned divisional heads and they would also look into the changes needed in our schemes/interventions
as per the request received from states. He impressed for our continued efforts for increase of production of
pulses and oilseeds with the assistance of State Governments. He further suggested that agroforestry/bamboo
plantation should be taken up for achieving the goal of doubling the income of farmers. Farmers Producers
Organizations (FPOs) should be incentivized for realization of better price by farmers and policy level initiatives
by concerned division need to be taken for the growth of farmers/entrepreneurs. State Government should take
steps for the development of infrastructure for rural haats and further steps should be taken for brand building for
organic farming. He stressed about setting up of laboratories at FPOs. He requested the states to take steps
including provision for punishment for selling of inorganic produce as organic which is not viable. Future of
organic farming is bright. He finally informed the house that Sikkim is going to win international prize for organic
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Annexure-I
ICAR
NRAA
NSC
NABARD
NFCL
1. Sh. Parvinder Singh
2. Sh. Gaurav Singh
SFAC
1. Sh. B. J. Brahma, Director
2. Sh. Azad Singh
NERMAC
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STATES & UTs
ARUNACHAL PRADESH
ANDHRA PRADESH
BIHAR
CHHATTISGARH
GOA
GUJARAT
HARYANA
HIMACHAL PRADESH
JHARKHAND
KARNATAKA
KERALA
1. Smt. V. Mallika, AD (Agri)
2. Sh. Shisley Philip, AD (Agri)
3. Sh. D. K. Singh, APC (Agri)
MADHYA PRADESH
MANIPUR
MEGHALAYA
MIZORAM
NAGALAND
PUDUCHERRY
PUNJAB
RAJASTHAN
TAMIL NADU
TELANGANA
TRIPURA
UTTAR PRADESH
WEST BENGAL
1. Smt. Sharda, DD
2. Smt. Monalisha, DD Kisan
3. Sh. R. C. Shukla, PIB
4. Sh. Nishant Kaushik, Stenographer (PIB)
5. Sh. Pramod Gupta, ABP News
6. Sh. Saurabh Katkurwa, Reporter
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Annexure-II
Group -1: Strategy for sustained production of Rabi Pulses in 2018-19 and increasing area coverage
under oilseeds through inter-cropping expansion in non-traditional and rice fallow areas
Relaxation of age of variety of seeds under pulses (upto 15 years) for cluster demonstration and seed
Community fencing provision under NFSM, BGREI and TRFA should be included to sustain
MSP should be declared before sowing of crops and timely procurement should be ensured under PSS.
Umbrella MOU between SAUs and State Government should be entered to sustain the seed-hubs of
Mass awareness of PM-AASHA Scheme should be given for remunerative prices to the farmer.
Seeds of inter crops should also be supplied alongwith main crops under seed minikit programme of
Policy decision for cultivation of lathyrus of low ODAP varieties, be communicated to all the States.
TRFA Scheme be extended to MP, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat and Karnataka.
Convergence of NRLM, MGNREGS with agriculture for development of ponds and common fencing
should be explored.
Seed availability of oilseeds and pulses need to be communicated by NSC to all the states before the
Scope of area expansion through inter-cropping in UP, MP, Maharashtra and Chhatisgarh should be
formulated.
Group-2: Important agroforestry models including agronomics-experience cross sharing States,
CAFRI (including All India Coordinated Research Project) and development of value
chain under restructured National Bamboo Mission
Cost norms of SMAF should be enhanced and equated to existing agroforestry schemes in the states.
There is a need for extension workers and demo plots for agroforestry development.
There is need to involve KVK, ATMA, ICAR and research units of States in agroforestry.
Group-3: To develop & upgrade rural haats as GrAMs- road ahead and implementation of
• States may prioritize the aspirational districts and tribal districts first for identifying the rural Haats to
• DAC & FW may formulate comprehensive operational guidelines to include the issues relating the
• States should keep all types of GrAMs outside the ambit of APMC Regulation.
• Collection centers in Haryana & Punjab located in rural area & behaving as periodic markets be treated
as Rural Haats for the purpose of development and up gradation under MGNREGS
• Farmer- consumer markets located in rural areas may also be considered as rural Haats for
Build ownership & cooperative spirit of members through a systematic mobilization, training and
Need to enable higher frequency of interactions among members by optimizing the cluster size of
FPOs.
FPOs should be engaged in multiple activities (inputs, product and services, etc..) to ensure regular
There is need to reduce Market transaction costs by optimising market distance; thereby increase net
income to producers/farmers.
Sufficient provisions for systematic social capital formation along with adequate support for financial
Convergence and Coordination among Ministries/Departments of Agriculture, Panchayati Raj and Rural
Group-5: Certification, value chain development and marketing of organic products with special
reference to Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) and Mission Organic Value Chain
Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER) Schemes
State should focus on close cluster formulation and commodity wise clusters to ensure market surplus.
NAC of PKVY should consider to reduce the number of regional councils for quality services.
MOVCDNER-NEDFI should engage local entrepreneurs for development of post harvest infrastructure.
Emphasis may be laid down on building marketing linkages- RCs/ service providers.
20% higher MSP should be given for traditional products and minimum 10% of procurement for organic
E-voucher or swipe card should be used for DBT to farmers/farmers groups in Sikkim.
followed.
Fund allocation for setting up of pesticides residue testing laboratories in each district or at –least in
major cities on PPP mode (50%) & should be included in NMSA Scheme through NABARD. (Assistance
to State is 100%).
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