In the case of rice, 'the second most important rabi crop', the stress is on planting in new areas, adoption of an improved package of practices, and planting hybrids that have high-yield potential.

Noting that another important rabi food grain, rabi jowar, has low productivity, the ministry said: 'This is proposed to be tackled by encouraging the cultivation of new hybrids and high yielding cultivars and best possible agronomic practices.'

States have also been asked to encourage the use of organic manures and micro-nutrients because 'soil fertility has been decreasing due to low carbon content and increasing micronutrient deficiency'.

This, the ministry said, was more prevalent in the northern states.

'The final strategy for rabi will be evolved after receiving inputs from the states and in consultation with the concerned central ministries over two days beginning tomorrow (Thursday),' the release added.