Complete Agricultural Value Chain Being Developed from Farm to Factory and Factory to Market: Chief Minister Dr. Yadav

Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav on Wednesday inaugurated the State-level Balram Krishi Mahotsav in Indore and announced that the Madhya Pradesh Government has dedicated 2026 as the ‘Krishak Kalyan Varsh’. He said a statewide campaign for the holistic development of farmers has been launched by bringing together 16 departments, including Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry, Fisheries, Cooperation, MSME, Revenue and Energy, and a comprehensive roadmap has been prepared to enhance farmers’ income. The Chief Minister said the Mahotsav is not merely an event but a broad-based campaign aimed at increasing farmers’ income through modern technology, value addition, processing, marketing and employment opportunities. The campaign will now be organised across all districts of the state, with a series of events and agriculture-related activities to be held in all 55 districts until November 13.

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the government is committed to the holistic development of farmers, women, youth and the poor. He said that if these four sections of society prosper, India’s progress is assured. As farmers are at the centre of this vision, their welfare has been accorded the highest priority. He said, referring to the previous year as the ‘Industry and Employment Year’, that it had resulted in investments worth over ₹10 lakh crore taking shape on the ground in Madhya Pradesh. Building on that momentum, 2026 is being observed as the ‘Krishak Kalyan Varsh’ to bring about transformative changes in the agriculture sector.

Urban Development and Housing Minister Shri Kailash Vijayvargiya, Water Resources Minister Shri Tulsiram Silawat, Member of Parliament Shri Shankar Lalwani, Mayor Shri Pushyamitra Bhargav, Chairman of the Madhya Pradesh Housing Board Shri Om Jain, District Panchayat Chairperson Smt. Reena Satish Malviya, MLAs Shri Madhu Verma, Smt. Malini Gaur and Shri Golu Shukla, Divisional Commissioner Dr. Sudam Khade, Police Commissioner Shri Santosh Kumar Singh, Collector Shri Shivam Verma, Shri Shravan Chawda, Shri Kapil Yarde, along with other public representatives and senior officials, were present on the occasion.

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said, addressing the inaugural ceremony, that Madhya Pradesh is richly endowed with natural resources, and more than 250 rivers sustain the lives and livelihoods of millions. He said previous governments failed to fully utilise the waters of the life-giving Narmada River, whereas under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Narmada Valley projects have gained new momentum. These projects have ensured irrigation and drinking water for the Malwa region while also strengthening the state’s power generation capacity. The Chief Minister noted that while only 7.5 lakh hectares of land had irrigation facilities between 1956 and 2003, the present government has expanded irrigated coverage to 65 lakh hectares and has set a target to increase it further in the coming years.

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that water, electricity and roads are the three pillars of farmers’ prosperity and the government has undertaken historic initiatives in all these sectors. He said that the government is taking rapid steps to ensure daytime power supply for agricultural operations, replacing night-time supply to make farming safer and more convenient. The Chief Minister added that the government is making sustained efforts to ensure remunerative prices for farmers’ produce. Wheat procurement this year was undertaken at ₹2,625 per quintal, while soybean growers received assistance under the Bhavantar Scheme. He remarked that under previous governments, farmers neither received fair prices nor systematic procurement at the Minimum Support Price. Referring to the government’s zero-interest crop loan scheme, he announced that farmers would no longer be required to renew their loans every six months. Farmers taking loans in June would now be required to repay them only in June of the following year, providing significant relief.

River Linking Projects to Benefit 13 Districts

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that the Ken-Betwa River Linking Project, conceptualised during the tenure of former Prime Minister Bharat Ratna late Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji, and the Parvati-Kalisindh-Chambal (PKC) Project, initiated under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, will transform Madhya Pradesh’s water landscape. With a combined investment of nearly ₹1 lakh crore, these projects will provide irrigation and drinking water benefits to 13 districts, including Sheopur, Morena, Bhind, Gwalior, Rajgarh, Shajapur, Dewas, Ujjain, Neemuch and Mandsaur, while significantly benefiting western Madhya Pradesh and the Malwa region.

Complete Agricultural Value Chain Being Developed

Dr. Yadav said the government does not want agriculture to remain confined to production alone but is developing a complete agricultural value chain from farm to factory and factory to market. Food processing units are being established rapidly across the state. He cited the recently established potato processing unit in Ujjain, built at a cost of ₹1,250 crore, which will procure potatoes from 32 districts, ensuring a stable market for farmers. Similar agriculture-based industries are also being developed in Indore, Agar, Ujjain and several other districts.

Chief Minister Sugam Parivahan Yojana for Rural Transport

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav announced that the Chief Minister Sugam Parivahan Bus Yojana will be launched to improve public transport connectivity in rural areas. The Chief Minister highlighted the importance of animal husbandry and dairy development in enhancing farmers’ income, and said that Madhya Pradesh currently contributes about 12 per cent to the country’s total milk production, with a target of increasing this share to 20 per cent. He announced a subsidy of ₹10 lakh for establishing dairy units costing up to ₹40 lakh, creating additional income opportunities for farmers and youth. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav added that the government is operating gaushalas on a large scale for the protection of stray cattle and will continue to provide financial assistance of ₹40 per animal per day to gaushala operators. A special plan is also being implemented to manage nilgai and other wild animals that damage crops.

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that following an agreement with the National Dairy Development Board, farmers are now receiving an additional ₹8–10 per litre for milk. Citing the example of a farmer, he said better prices have increased daily income by several thousand rupees. He added that agriculture currently contributes nearly 43 per cent to the state’s Gross Domestic Product. Madhya Pradesh ranks second in the country in foodgrain production and is among the leading producers of coarse cereals, pearl millet, coriander, garlic, oranges, soybeans, wheat, pulses and oilseeds. The state also ranks second nationally in floriculture.

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that the PM MITRA Textile Park being developed in Dhar district will benefit nearly six lakh cotton-growing farmers by creating a complete industrial ecosystem from cotton to yarn, fabric and ready-made garments, thereby providing farmers with better market opportunities.

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav offered prayers to Lord Balram and said that the plough symbolises India’s agricultural heritage, hard work and prosperity at the inauguration of the Balram Krishi Mahotsav. He called upon farmers to transform the Farmer Welfare Year into a people’s movement.

Major Announcements by Chief Minister Dr. Yadav

The Chief Minister made several important announcements during the programme:

• The existing agricultural produce market in Indore will be relocated and replaced with a modern, integrated wholesale agricultural market.
• A statue of Devi Ahilyabai Holkar will be installed in the area.
• Alternative housing will be provided to families affected by the relocation of the market.
• Daytime electricity supply for agricultural purposes will be introduced.
• A subsidy of ₹10 lakh will be provided for establishing dairy units costing up to ₹40 lakh.
• Financial assistance of ₹40 per animal per day for gaushala operations will continue.
• Food processing, dairy, fisheries and agriculture-based industries will be expanded extensively to increase farmers’ income.
• A special plan will be implemented for managing nilgai and other wild animals that damage crops, including the preparation of a strategy for their control using helicopters.

One-Stop Platform for Farmers

Exhibitions by the Departments of Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry, Fisheries, Cooperation, MSME, Energy, Revenue and other departments were organised at the Balram Krishi Mahotsav. Farmers received detailed information on modern agricultural technologies, natural and organic farming, drone technology, farm mechanisation, horticulture, dairy farming, fisheries, food processing, agricultural credit, insurance, marketing, value addition and various government schemes. They also had the opportunity to interact directly with departmental experts and access the benefits of different schemes.

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav honoured progressive farmers, students from farming families and social media influencers who have contributed to promoting better farming practices.

Addressing the gathering, Urban Development and Housing Minister Shri Kailash Vijayvargiya said the state government is continuously organising workshops to promote natural farming, modern farming and organic agriculture. He said adopting new technologies and conserving natural resources would pave the way for higher farm incomes.

Referring to various farmer-centric schemes of the Central and State Governments, Shri Vijayvargiya said that while farmers earlier had to pay interest of up to 18 per cent on agricultural loans, the state government now provides crop loans at zero per cent interest.

He also referred to the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi and the Chief Minister Kisan Kalyan Yojana, under which farmers receive ₹6,000 annually from the Central Government and ₹6,000 from the State Government, amounting to ₹12,000 transferred directly into their bank accounts every year. He said the government has taken several historic decisions for the welfare of farmers, with their interests remaining the highest priority.

Water Resources Minister Shri Tulsiram Silawat said that the soul of India resides in its villages and that the government is committed to the holistic development of villages, women, youth and the last person in society. He said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav, the Madhya Pradesh Government is dedicated to the progress and prosperity of farmers throughout all 365 days of the year. He added that under the guidance of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the state government is committed to providing every necessary facility to farmers. Praising Chief Minister Dr. Yadav’s farmer-centric vision and decisions, Shri Silawat said several historic initiatives have been undertaken under his leadership and assured that the government would leave no stone unturned in ensuring the growth, development and prosperity of farmers.

Member of Parliament Shri Shankar Lalwani said the Madhya Pradesh Government is connecting farmers with modern and advanced agricultural practices while promoting model farming. He said farmers are being provided with all necessary facilities, along with education and training, to help them adopt improved agricultural practices.