Balaghat’s Farmers have Set New Benchmark in Progressive Agriculture: CM Dr. Yadav

Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav said that Balaghat, a district known for its glorious traditions of valour, sacrifice and bravery, is renowned across the country for its mineral wealth and distinctive cuisine. The district is particularly known for its Chinnor rice, which has earned it the distinction of being called the ‘Rice Bowl of Madhya Pradesh’. He said that the hardworking farmers of Balaghat had set a new benchmark through their progressive approach. Along with paddy, the district has also established a distinct identity in the production of Kodo and other Shree Anna (millets).

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that Balaghat had secured the top position in the state this year by procuring 60 lakh quintals of paddy. He virtually addressed the Balram Krishi Mahotsav organised at the Krishi Mandi premises in Gonglai, Balaghat from Samatva Bhawan at the Chief Minister’s Residence on Sunday. He also interacted warmly with progressive farmers and winners of agricultural schemes attending the programme and extended his congratulations and best wishes to them.

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that the elimination of Naxalism from Balaghat would give fresh momentum to the district’s development. Together, we will advance agriculture and make every possible effort to enhance farmers’ income. Balaghat is rich in mineral resources and accounts for 80 per cent of the country’s manganese production. It also has vast copper reserves at Malanjkhand. The distinctive aroma of Balaghat’s Chinnor rice attracts consumers, and the rice is exported to several countries.

Along with expanding basic infrastructure such as roads, water and electricity, efforts are also being made to promote milk production in the district. The Balram Krishi Mahotsav has proved instrumental in strengthening the district’s agricultural ecosystem and increasing farmers’ income. The Chief Minister also interacted with progressive farmers of Balaghat and apprised them of the state government’s initiatives for the welfare of farmers and the development of agriculture.

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said, extending greetings on Madhya Pradesh Foundation Day and the festival of Diwali, that the state government was observing 2026 as the Year of Farmers’ Welfare. Farmers are being encouraged to adopt natural farming to make agriculture more sustainable and profitable. He informed that registration had been undertaken for the procurement of paddy from farmers at the Minimum Support Price (MSP). As some farmers in Balaghat district could not complete their registration, the registration portal has been kept open until November 4. Farmers who have not yet registered can complete the process by November 4.

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that the Central Government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, is providing financial assistance to farmers through the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi. The state government is also extending financial assistance to farmers, while women beneficiaries are receiving support under the Ladli Behna Yojana. He said that the double-engine government has made it possible to ensure that the benefits of public welfare schemes reach people. The Chief Minister said that 36 dairy cooperative societies in Balaghat district, which had become non-functional, were being revived. Milk routes are also being developed to encourage milk collection in the district, including its Naxal-affected areas, and thereby increase farmers’ income. He informed that daily milk collection in the district had increased from 3,500 litres to 10,000 litres. The state government aims to raise it to 50,000 litres per day to further promote dairy production.

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that Balaghat is among the leading districts in Madhya Pradesh in the fisheries sector. More than ₹9 crore in loans have been extended to 15,000 fish farmers in the district through Kisan Credit Cards. He informed that, under the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan, 94 cage-culture units have been established in Kharadi Reservoir, resulting in the production of 282 metric tonnes of fish. This has expanded the scope of fisheries in the district and created new income opportunities for farmers. The Chief Minister said that more than 1.29 lakh farmers in Balaghat had been provided interest-free loans amounting to ₹876 crore for agricultural, animal husbandry, fisheries and horticultural activities. In addition, more than 3.76 lakh farmers in the district are benefiting from the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana. He urged farmers to diversify their activities by taking up animal husbandry, fisheries and horticulture alongside traditional farming, thereby expanding their sources of income and strengthening their financial position.

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that the state government was also encouraging plantation on private land. Farmers can earn additional income by planting bamboo, teak and other timber species on their land. The government is making continuous efforts in this direction so that farmers can benefit financially from activities beyond agriculture as well. Referring to the competition being organised among livestock owners to increase milk production, he said that the initiative had generated considerable enthusiasm among them. Such activities would help promote animal husbandry and boost milk production.

Discussing the Swamitva Yojana, Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that free registration of abadi land in rural areas was being carried out and ownership documents were being provided to the landholders. The state government is spending ₹10,000 crore on free registrations under the scheme. He said that the objective was to provide ownership documents for residential land in rural areas so that people do not face difficulties in obtaining loans from banks and other financial institutions due to the absence of property documents. Registration of abadi land will establish the legal ownership rights of the concerned individuals. They will also be able to transfer the land in their children's names. The Chief Minister said that the Swamitva Yojana was one of the state government's ambitious initiatives and would benefit farmers and other residents of rural areas.

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav interacted with progressive farmers of Balaghat and learnt about their agricultural activities, innovations and sources of income during the Balram Krishi Mahotsav.

Shri Vedram Rahangdale, a farmer from Pandewada village, informed the Chief Minister that he was engaged in fish farming and providing employment to 30 people through the enterprise. Shri Mukesh Nevare, a farmer from Ameda village in Lanji tehsil, said that besides paddy cultivation, he was engaged in vegetable production, fisheries and horticulture. He had also recently started mushroom cultivation. Sushri Manju Nagpure of Kohkadibar village said that she was associated with the ATMA project and the Livelihood Mission and was working as a Drone Didi. Through this initiative, she was earning ₹1.25 lakh. Shri Jiyalal Rahangdale, a farmer from Bagadmara village, told the Chief Minister that he practised natural farming and was pursuing agriculture using these methods. Shri Gulab Chaudhary, a farmer from Gudma village, informed him that he cultivated wheat on 30 acres of land and obtained a yield of 425 quintals.

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav also interacted with the winners selected through a lottery under the quiz competition based on agricultural schemes and congratulated them. The winners included Sushri Divla Patle of Kumhari village in Lamta tehsil, who will receive a tractor; Shri Manoj Harinkhede of Ekodi village in Waraseoni tehsil, who will receive a Bullet motorcycle; and Shri Kavita Shiv of Sikandra village, who will receive an e-scooter as a prize.

Balaghat-Seoni MP Smt. Bharti Pardhi, MLA Shri Gaurav Singh Pardhi, Apex Bank Chairman Shri Mahendra Singh Yadav, Member of the Madhya Pradesh Backward Classes Commission Smt. Mausam Bisen, Balaghat Municipal Council President Smt. Bharti Surjeet Singh Thakur, former Minister Shri Ramkishore Kawre, Shri Kapil Yarde, Shri Yashwant Lilhare, Shri Kalpana Marskole, Shri Satyanarayan Agrawal and a large number of farmers were present at the Balram Krishi Mahotsav.