A two-day national conference on Rabi Campaign 2017 organised by Agriculture Ministry concluded in New Delhi on Wednesday. During the conference, group discussions were held on important topics including Soil Health Card Scheme, management of drought and harvest and doubling farmers' income. <br/><br/>Agriculture Secretary, Shobhan Patnaik laid emphasis on measures to bridge the yield gap among districts and States in a planned manner and steps to ensure payment of remunerative price to the farmers. In addition, Joint Secretaries and senior officials made presentations on the flagship schemes including seed quality control, Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, Soil Health Card and organic farming.<br/><br/>Many States used the opportunity to offer valuable comments and observations on many aspects of the flagship programme of the Government.<br/><br/>Earlier inaugurating the conference, Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh yesterday requested state governments to make full use of the large network of Krishi Vigyan Kendras in dissemination of improved technologies particularly pulses and oilseeds. <br/><br/>He also urged state governments to ensure timely supply of inputs for more area coverage during the forthcoming Rabi season in the wake of excess rainfall and flood like situation faced by Eastern and Western states during Kharif-2017.