Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for approving a Rs 38,000 crore fertiliser subsidy, calling it a major boost for farmers ahead of the Rabi season. The decision, taken at a Cabinet meeting chaired by the Prime Minister, aims to ensure timely and affordable fertiliser supply, helping sustain high crop yields across the country.
During a review meeting on Kharif 2025 sowing progress, Chouhan said the season has been “highly satisfactory,” supported by a favourable monsoon and healthy reservoir levels. Data shows paddy has been sown over 441.58 lakh hectares, higher than last year, while oilseeds cover 190.13 lakh hectares, led by soybean and groundnut. Pulses cultivation has reached 120.41 lakh hectares, strengthening India’s efforts toward nutritional security, and sugarcane has expanded to 59.07 lakh hectares.
Officials said improved rainfall and water availability have played a key role in this year’s agricultural performance. Most major reservoirs are at normal or above-normal capacity, ensuring adequate irrigation for both Kharif and upcoming Rabi crops.
Agriculture Commissioner, Dr. P.K. Singh, reported that the total live storage in 161 reservoirs stands at 165.58 billion cubic metres, over 104% of last year’s level and 116% of the ten-year average.
Harvesting of Kharif crops has already begun in several states, covering around 27% of the total area, while early Rabi sowing is underway. The condition of onion, potato, and tomato crops remains stable, and central food grain stocks, especially rice and wheat, are above buffer norms, ensuring food security.
Chouhan said India’s agriculture sector is on track to achieve record milestones, driven by favourable weather, strong policy support, and digital innovation. He added that the government will continue working closely with states to expand Rabi sowing, particularly in pulses and oilseeds, to boost productivity and income for farmers.
“These achievements reflect the success of farmer-centric policies under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership,” he said, highlighting that the focus remains on ensuring sustainable growth and better livelihoods for India’s farming community.
