Become Friends of Nature, Keep Mother Earth Green : CM Dr. Yadav

Bhopal, June 2026 : Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav said that World Environment Day serves as a reminder to act responsibly for the future. It reminds us that to safeguard our future and that of coming generations, we must plant more trees, conserve water and reduce pollution. Only then can we preserve our planet. He emphasised that people must become friends of nature, warning that failure to act today could place humanity’s very existence at risk due to climate change.

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav was addressing a programme organised on World Environment Day at the premises of the Madhya Pradesh State Cooperative Bank Limited (Apex Bank) on Friday. He urged everyone to plant at least one tree to keep Mother Earth’s courtyard clean and green. The Chief Minister planted a mango sapling under the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign at the Apex Bank premises.

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav reiterated the slogan, ‘Bina Sahkar, Nahin Uddhar (No Prosperity Without Cooperation), and said that the State Government is committed to bringing prosperity through the cooperative movement. He said that by increasing milk production, the livelihoods of farmers and livestock owners would be strengthened, and Madhya Pradesh would be transformed into the country’s ‘Milk Capital’.

Apex Bank is implementing a statewide Green Cooperation Campaign, under which an intensive plantation drive is being carried out at the Apex Bank headquarters, all District Cooperative Banks, and every Primary Agricultural Credit Society (PACS) across the state under the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ initiative. On World Environment Day, one lakh saplings were planted simultaneously across Madhya Pradesh under the leadership of Apex Bank.

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav stated that under a special government provision, any officer or employee found involved in irregularities in Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) would face strict action. He assured that farmers associated with cooperative societies would not be affected by the misconduct of individual employees. Action would be taken against those found guilty, rather than against the cooperative society itself, and all necessary arrangements would be made to ensure the uninterrupted functioning of the societies. The Chief Minister  announced that, in the interest of farmers, the financial year for crop loans and related transactions would be extended from March 31 to May 31, enabling farmers to complete their annual turnover and avoid becoming loan defaulters.

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav noted that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has completed 12 years as Prime Minister and that the 13th year of the Central Government’s journey of ‘Good Governance for Public Welfare’ has begun. Marking the occasion, the State Government has launched the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0” campaign.

He informed that from June 5 (World Environment Day) to June 21 (International Day of Yoga), one lakh saplings would be planted through cooperative societies across the state during the fortnight-long campaign.

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that Madhya Pradesh has already begun its journey towards becoming the nation’s Milk Capital. Farmers are increasingly finding prosperity through dairy farming, leading to higher incomes. The State Government has set a target of increasing milk production growth from 8 per cent to 20 per cent. He said that the government efforts are already yielding results, with daily milk procurement in Madhya Pradesh increasing by 13 lakh litres. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav, referring to the success of Gujarat’s Anand Milk Union Limited (Amul), said that the cooperative model has transformed the lives of farmers and offered the world a unique model of prosperity and development. Similarly, the State Government is promoting milk production through the Sanchi Dairy Federation.

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav also highlighted the importance of indigenous cattle in natural farming and said that the government is encouraging cattle conservation and the rearing of improved breeds. The State Government is also providing all necessary support to enhance farmers’ incomes through horticulture crops. He announced that a sugar factory will soon be established in Kolaras, Shivpuri district to benefit sugarcane growers.

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that the State Government is moving forward with the Parvati-Kalisindh-Chambal National River Linking Project to expand the irrigated area in Madhya Pradesh. Farmers are now being provided electricity for irrigation during daytime hours. He highlighted that Madhya Pradesh has set a new record in wheat production and procurement this year. Against procurement of 78 lakh metric tonnes in the previous season, the State Government procured 104 lakh metric tonnes of wheat from farmers in 2026. Farmers received ₹2,625 per quintal, including a ₹40 bonus over the Minimum Support Price (MSP). Benefits under the Bhavantar Payment Scheme were also provided for soybean farmers. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav stated that the Government is committed to ensuring that farmers receive remunerative prices for their produce, even above the MSP wherever possible.

Minister for Sports and Youth Welfare and Cooperative Shri Vishvas Kailash Sarang said that every possible effort must be made to protect the environment. He noted that one lakh saplings were planted on World Environment Day last year as well and that all of them have survived. Minister Shri Sarang added that the Cooperation Department is moving towards achieving major milestones through a dairy revolution in the state and that the Government considers cooperation as a gateway to prosperity.

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav appealed to all citizens to participate in the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign by planting at least one sapling and ensuring its survival until it grows into a tree.

Apex Bank Chairman (Administrator) Shri Mahendra Singh Yadav informed that under “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0,” Apex Bank, along with more than 4,500 cooperative societies and 38 district cooperative banks, had set a target of planting one lakh saplings in a single day.

As part of the nationwide and state-level Mango Festival being celebrated by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), NABARD Madhya Pradesh Regional Office Chief General Manager Sushri C. Saraswathi presented a basket of mangoes to Chief Minister Dr. Yadav as a token of appreciation on World Environment Day.

Principal Secretary, Cooperation Department Shri D.P. Ahuja, NABARD Managing Director Shri Manoj, Registrar Cooperative Societies Shri Manoj Pushp, along with a large number of officials from the Cooperation Department, Apex Bank, PACS institutions and other stakeholders, were present at the programme.