Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav said that the future of agriculture is bright. Farmers need to adapt their farming practices to changing times by embracing new technologies, crop diversification and food processing. By exploring opportunities in Shri Anna, horticulture, animal husbandry and agriculture-based industries, farmers can create new avenues of income.
Sidhi is a leading district in millet production, where several millet crops such as Kodo, Kutki, Sanwa, Mijri and Kakun have traditionally been cultivated and form an important part of the local culture. It is encouraging to note that Ragi is being cultivated on 2,000 hectares and Kodo on around 2,500 hectares in the district to promote Shri Anna. He said efforts are being made not only to increase Shri Anna production but also to connect farmers with processing and markets, thereby creating new avenues of income. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav expressed these views while virtually addressing the Balram Krishi Mahotsav in Sidhi from Mantralaya, Bhopal.
Paying obeisance to Baba Bholenath at Chandreha Shiv Temple, Badhauranath Swami and Jagat Janani Jagdamba, Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that Sidhi district is home to several sacred shrines dedicated to Adishakti. He expressed hope that the blessings of all these deities would continue to remain upon the people of Madhya Pradesh.
Minister of State for Public Health and Medical Education Shri Narendra Shivaji Patel and Additional Chief Secretary in the Chief Minister's Office Shri Neeraj Mandloi were present at Mantralaya on the occasion.
Sidhi Renowned for Tourism and Dari Craft Along with Agriculture
Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that Sidhi, enriched by its tribal culture, has immense potential. Along with agriculture, tourism, dari craftsmanship, natural wealth and folk culture form the backbone of the district.
Panja dari artisans have given Sidhi a new identity through their hard work and craftsmanship. Sidhi is home to carpet weavers, and its world-famous Panja dari is in demand even in foreign countries. Panja dari and carpet handloom products are being promoted under the One District-One Product initiative. A unit manufacturing handloom products and attractive Khadi garments is also operating in Bharatpur village of Rampur Naikin. This is creating income opportunities for local artisans.
Farmers Adopting Innovation and Technology
Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said farmers in Sidhi are adopting innovation and technology. Along with major crops such as paddy, wheat, mustard, gram, sesame and pigeon pea, the district is also producing fruits and vegetables. Sidhi has established a distinct identity in tomato production. Along with vegetables such as onion, potato, okra, cucumber and brinjal, advanced crops such as jackfruit, grafted mango, grafted guava, grafted lemon, cauliflower and beetroot are being cultivated with the promotion of mulching and drip irrigation. This is helping conserve water while increasing crop yields.
Farmers Advised to Register on Time
Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said arrangements are being made to provide farmers with 10 hours of electricity during the day. Arrangements for repayment of agricultural loans taken by farmers have also been made according to their convenience.
Chief Minister Dr. Yadav advised farmers to complete their registration in time to sell their produce at the Minimum Support Price.
Farmers Encouraged to Increase Income Through Dairy Farming
Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that in the past six months, women's groups in Sidhi have earned around ₹13 lakh by selling 24 quintals of Mahua laddoos and five quintals of Mahua biscuits. He congratulated the women entrepreneurs for this achievement.
Chief Minister Dr. Yadav encouraged farmers to take up dairy farming to increase their income. He also called upon farmers to join the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan being conducted to mark the birth anniversary of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.
Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that the Chief Minister Sugam Bus Service will commence operations in the state from September 25. He said the State Government is committed to the welfare of farmers.
Progressive Farmers Share Their Experiences
Under the theme ‘How to Make Farming a Profitable Venture’, Sangeeta Mishra from Majharetikhurd, Sihawal; Vipin Shukla from Mankisar, Rampur Naikin; Sajan Singh from Barmani, Sidhi; Vishnukant Kushwaha from Bhaisraha, Rampur Naikin; and Aarti Singh from Teektikala, Sidhi shared their experiences.
Sweta Singh, Siddharth Singh, Vivek Singh Chauhan, Sangeeta Mishra, Ritu Singh, Baiyant Singh, Rohit Kumar Mishra, Urmila Sahu, Saukhilal Yadav and Gulab Singh were felicitated for their notable work in fisheries, Custom Hiring Centres, natural farming, pulse production, besan processing, rice milling, buffalo rearing and vegetable cultivation.
For their outstanding performance in Class 10 examinations, Abhay Gupta, Prince Patel, Chaitanya Singh Chauhan, Prince Singh Chauhan, Aditya Tiwari, Shivakshat Shukla, Adarsh Singh, Adarsh Gupta, Yash Chaturvedi and Garima Dubey were also felicitated.
At the programme in Sidhi, MP Dr. Rajesh Mishra, MLAs Shri Kunwar Singh Tekam and Shri Vishwamitra Pathak, District Panchayat President Smt. Manju Ramji Singh, Collector Shri Vikas Mishra and other public representatives were present.
