Tue Sep 16 16:59:59 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary of the provided text, followed by a news article re-write:

**Summary:**

The text is a news report from *The Hindu* on September 16, 2025, focusing on Indian agriculture. Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced significant increases in foodgrain, fruit, and vegetable production compared to the previous year. This announcement followed a two-day National Conference on Agriculture – Rabi Campaign, where Union and State Agriculture Departments collaborated to plan for upcoming winter crops. The government has set ambitious production targets and discussed various strategies, including climate resilience, improved inputs (seeds, fertilizers, pesticides), and focus on pulses and oilseeds to further enhance agricultural output. The Minister also addressed the flood situation, pledging government support to affected states, and assured adequate seed and fertilizer availability for the Rabi season. He emphasized the need to enhance pulse and oilseed production to match global standards of rice and wheat production.

**News Article:**

**India Sees Record Foodgrain Output, Sets Ambitious New Targets**

*New Delhi – September 16, 2025* – India’s agricultural sector is celebrating a year of robust growth, with significant increases in foodgrain, fruit, and vegetable production, according to Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. Speaking after the conclusion of a two-day National Conference on Agriculture – Rabi Campaign, Minister Chouhan revealed the country’s total foodgrain production reached 353.96 million tonnes in 2024-25, a 6.5% increase over the previous year, surpassing the set target by 12.41 million tonnes.

“We have achieved record harvests in key crops like rice, wheat, maize, groundnut, and soybean,” Minister Chouhan announced. “The Central government has now set a production target of 362.50 million tonnes for 2025-26, showing our commitment to further growth.”

The Rabi Campaign conference, a collaboration between Union and State Agriculture Departments, focused on strategies for the upcoming winter cropping season. Key discussion points included building climate resilience in farming practices, ensuring the availability of high-quality seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides, promoting horticulture, and expanding natural farming methods. Emphasis was also placed on boosting the productivity of pulses and oilseeds, areas where the Minister acknowledged further improvement is needed to match India’s success with rice and wheat production.

Responding to the recent devastating floods in several states, including Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Maharashtra, Minister Chouhan assured that the government is providing comprehensive support to affected regions. He guaranteed timely disbursement of insurance benefits under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana.

Regarding inputs for the upcoming Rabi season, the Minister stated that the country has an ample supply of seeds and will ensure adequate fertilizer availability based on state-level demand, coordinated with the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers.

“We are committed to coordinated efforts between the Centre and States to ensure agricultural growth and the welfare of our farmers,” Minister Chouhan concluded, highlighting the government’s dedication to the agricultural sector’s continued success. The conference’s two-day duration, an extension from previous years, was cited as further proof of this commitment.

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