Agriculture Minister Calls for Water-Smart Rabi Planning Across States

At a national conference on rabi season preparedness, Chouhan highlighted the need for states to align their winter crop planning with ground realities shaped by shifting climate patterns and uneven rainfall distribution. The minister acknowledged that while kharif crops performed well in many areas, drought and water stress emerged as significant challenges in certain regions, necessitating a more calibrated approach to the coming season.

Chouhan stressed that state officials must conduct region-specific assessments of water availability and soil moisture before finalizing rabi sowing strategies. "Weather patterns have shifted due to climate change, and we must plan accordingly," he said, noting that rainfall distribution remained inconsistent across the country, with some areas receiving surplus precipitation while others faced deficits.

The two-day conference brought together state representatives to discuss preparedness measures for the rabi season. The minister's directive reflects growing recognition that agricultural planning must increasingly account for climate variability and resource constraints rather than relying on historical patterns. States have been asked to make advance arrangements based on their specific water availability to optimize crop selection and acreage allocation for the winter growing season.