Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Friday instructed officials to ensure that farmers receive better prices for their rabi crops and emphasized the need to accelerate the establishment of the proposed Makhana Board in Bihar.
During a virtual review meeting conducted from Bhopal, Chouhan assessed ongoing preparations for the upcoming kharif (summer) season, discussed crop sowing status, analyzed market price trends, and reviewed weather forecasts for the following week. Senior officials, including Agriculture Secretary Devesh Chaturvedi, participated in the meeting.
Makhana Board Formation to Boost Bihar's Agricultural Economy
Following the announcement made in the Union Budget 2025-26, the government plans to form the Makhana Board with an initial allocation of ₹100 crore, aiming to strengthen Bihar's makhana industry. Chouhan urged officials to expedite this process and actively incorporate suggestions and feedback from farmers to ensure their direct involvement.Increase in Area Under Kharif Crop Cultivation
The ministry reported that the area under kharif crops reached 22.31 lakh hectares as of February 21, marking an increase from 21.84 lakh hectares during the corresponding period last year. Additionally, officials informed that the sowing window remains open for onion, potato, and tomato, with expectations of enhanced coverage driven by favorable market prices.- Onion sowing area increased notably to 10.29 lakh hectares, an uptick of 1.66 lakh hectares compared to the previous year.
- Potato cultivation area marginally increased to 19.82 lakh hectares, rising by 0.31 lakh hectares.
Weather Forecast for Upcoming Week
Addressing the prevailing weather conditions, the officials stated that due to an active western disturbance, widespread rainfall and snowfall are anticipated across the western Himalayan region during the first half of the upcoming week. Rainfall activity will remain below normal across most regions; however, Northwest India and South Peninsular India are expected to witness above-normal rainfall during this period.Minister Chouhan instructed the officials to keep a close watch on weather developments and take proactive measures to protect crops and assist farmers accordingly.