VARANASI, Nov. 6 -- A joint Rabi Production Seminar-2026 for the Varanasi, Prayagraj and Vindhyachal divisions was organised at Girija Devi Sanskritik Sankul on Thursday to boost Rabi crop production and productivity and familiarise farmers with modern agricultural techniques. During the seminar, farmers were encouraged to adopt scientific farming practices, use fertilisers based on soil health assessments and avail themselves of various Agriculture Department schemes. Principal Secretary (Agriculture) MK Shanmuga Sundaram, divisional commissioners of Varanasi, Mirzapur and Prayagraj, CDOs, agriculture officials, scientists and representatives of allied departments attended the seminar. Discussions focused on production strategies for key Rabi crops, improved seeds, balanced fertiliser use, irrigation, pest control and modern farming techniques. Sundaram said India ranks third globally in agricultural production and could surpass the US in two to three years and China in eight to nine years with sustained efforts. He added that there was no shortage of seeds or fertilisers anywhere in the state. He stressed the need to increase NPK fertiliser use, particularly potash for grain filling, and warned that excessive fertiliser use had reduced soil carbon content from 1.5% to 0.5%, threatening soil fertility in 20-25 years....