Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi inaugurated the Eastern Regional Agriculture Conference in Bhubaneswar. The conference brings together eastern states to discuss agricultural challenges, crop diversification, and climate-resilient farming practices. Key focus areas include increasing farmer income, sustainable agriculture, and leveraging technology for agricultural transformation. The event aims to coordinate regional agricultural policies and share best practices among eastern states for enhanced agricultural productivity and rural development.

The Eastern Regional Agriculture Conference represents a coordinated approach to address region-specific agricultural challenges in India's eastern states. This region, comprising Odisha, West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, and northeastern states, faces unique challenges including frequent cyclones, flooding, and soil degradation. The conference serves as a platform for knowledge sharing on climate-resilient crops, water management, and sustainable farming practices tailored to the eastern agro-climatic zone. Given that eastern India houses a significant portion of India's rural population and contributes substantially to rice production, regional coordination becomes crucial for national food security. The initiative aligns with the government's broader agricultural reforms including the promotion of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), digital agriculture, and the goal of doubling farmer income. Such regional conferences enable states to learn from each other's successes in implementing schemes like PM-KISAN, crop insurance, and soil health management. The focus on technology adoption, including drone technology and precision farming, reflects the government's push towards modernizing agriculture in traditionally rain-dependent eastern regions.