Chouhan asks states to favor pulses and oilseeds in rabi plans
In short
Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has asked states to plan rabi crops based on water and soil moisture. He wants drier areas to grow crops that need less water and wants more pulses and oilseeds planted.
The idea is to reduce India’s dependence on imports. The report also mentions drought in Maharashtra and Karnataka, but does not say how much crop output may change.
What the reporting says
Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan asked states to make rabi crop plans based on water availability and soil moisture, according to an Economic Times summary. The report says water-stressed areas should prioritize less water-intensive crops and that pulses and oilseeds should get more cultivation to cut import dependence. It also flags drought in Maharashtra and Karnataka, while the longer-term harvest impact is not stated.
Why it matters
An Economic Times summary says Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has told states to base rabi crop plans on water availability and soil moisture, with water-stressed areas shifting toward less water-intensive crops. He also called for more pulses and oilseeds to reduce import dependence. The report mentions drought in Maharashtra and Karnataka, but does not give crop targets or expected production changes.