In a significant push towards transforming India’s agriculture sector, the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare will host the Eastern Regional Agriculture Conference in Bhubaneswar on May 19, 2026.
Chaired by Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, the conference promises to be a landmark platform for robust Centre-State collaboration aimed at accelerating agricultural growth and enhancing farmers’ livelihoods across eastern India.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi will also grace the event, joining agriculture ministers from eastern states, senior officials, scientists, progressive farmers, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), startups, banks, and other key stakeholders. The day-long conference will focus on reviewing the progress of flagship central schemes while addressing region-specific challenges and opportunities in the agriculture sector.
Key discussion points include the advancement of the farmer registry, expanding opportunities in horticulture, achieving self-reliance in pulses production, and scaling up the National Mission on Edible Oils–Oilseeds (NMEO-OS). Participants will also deliberate on PM-AASHA, the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF), farm credit expansion, and improvements to the Kisan Credit Card scheme.
A major highlight will be the focused sessions on checking the menace of fake pesticides and fertilisers, curbing black marketing, promoting balanced nutrient application, and encouraging eco-friendly alternative fertilisers. These issues are critical for protecting both farmer incomes and soil health in the region.
States will showcase their innovative models: Odisha will highlight its agricultural extension initiatives, West Bengal will share best practices in seed production, Jharkhand will present FPO-driven value chains and its startup ecosystem, while Bihar will demonstrate successful strategies in maize production and marketing.
Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan is expected to address the media after the conference, outlining actionable outcomes and the way forward for sustainable agricultural development in eastern India.
This conference comes at a pivotal time as the government aims to make Indian agriculture more resilient, productive, and farmer-centric. By fostering greater synergy between the Centre and states, it is poised to deliver tangible solutions that will directly benefit millions of farmers across the region.
