Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav said, “Hal in the hands of farmers is the nation’s real strength.” He said, describing the sweat of farmers as the ‘fuel’ of Madhya Pradesh’s economy that the government stands with the state’s farmers at every step— from farm to bank accounts and from seed to market. The Chief Minister said that Lord Balaram, the deity of strength, is also a living symbol of respect for labour and the glory of agriculture. As Haldhar (the bearer of the plough), he expanded agriculture and farming in the country and made it a means of public welfare.
Chief Minister Dr. Yadav was addressing the ‘Balaram Jayanti Mahotsav’ and ‘Shakari Kisan Samagam’ held in Gwalior on Wednesday on the occasion of Hal Shashti. He extended Balaram Jayanti greetings to the large number of farmers and Annadatas present at the event. The Chief Minister said that Balaram Jayanti is a sacred celebration of the greenery of fields and the prosperity of farmers. The organisers presented a plough to the Chief Minister as a sacred symbol of agriculture and farming. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav announced that the State Government would provide the necessary assistance to help the District Central Cooperative Bank, Shivpuri overcome its current financial crisis.
Chief Minister Dr. Yadav launched four important farmer welfare initiatives. He launched the Online Farmer Credit Card Portal with a single click, enabling farmers to apply for Farmer Credit Cards from their homes. The simplified zero-interest loan scheme was also launched. Under the new arrangement, the requirement to repay Kharif and Rabi crop loans separately has been removed. Farmers can now repay their loans within 12 months according to their convenience.
Chief Minister Dr. Yadav also launched the Kisan Kavach Scheme. The scheme aims to provide access to loans and government welfare schemes to farmers who have so far been unable to avail themselves of these benefits due to pending verification of their bank accounts. To strengthen cooperative activities in villages, CM Dr. Yadav also inaugurated offices of 200 new PACS institutions. He also inaugurated the Gwalior Divisional Branch of the Apex Bank.
Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said, addressing the farmers, that the government is strengthening the farmers’ entire journey from seed to market and from farm to export. He said, expressing the government's commitment to strengthening the rural economy, that the state would be developed as the Milk Capital of the country. The Chief Minister said that a Vrindavan Gram is being developed in every block and the fodder subsidy has been increased from ₹20 to ₹40.
Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said, “Agriculture is our heritage; Agri-Tech and Agri-Business are our future,” adding that a new agricultural revolution is being ushered in through technology, processing and markets. Horticulture, organic farming, fisheries and new crops are also being promoted to increase farmers’ incomes. The Chief Minister urged farmers to make optimum use of every drop of water, adopt natural farming, undertake grading, processing and packaging of their produce and connect directly with markets. He also encouraged crop diversification and urged farmers to connect the younger generation with agricultural entrepreneurship.
Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that the prosperity of Madhya Pradesh depends on the prosperity of its farmers. He appealed to farmers to obtain a Farmer ID, saying it would make it easier to access government schemes, receive Minimum Support Price (MSP) payments and obtain subsidised fertilisers and seeds.
Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that Lord Balaram had begun a new chapter of self-reliance by connecting agriculture with nature. Farming has always been accorded the highest importance in Indian culture. Agriculture enriches nature and provides food to humanity. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has resolved to work for the welfare of four categories—the poor, farmers, youth and women. He said that the soldiers guarding the nation's borders and farmers working in the fields command equal respect. The Annadata contributes to the prosperity of the nation through tireless hard work. The State Government is giving special attention to farmers’ welfare, from their fields to their bank accounts. Farmers are being provided benefits through PACS societies, while the Kisan Kavach Scheme is another initiative through which the government stands with farmers.
Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that farmers in Madhya Pradesh are receiving 24-hour electricity for irrigation, and daytime power supply will now also be provided. Madhya Pradesh has now emerged as a leading state in power generation. The state's irrigated area currently exceeds 60 lakh hectares, with a target of increasing it to 100 lakh hectares in the next two-and-a-half years.
Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that the State Government has provided farmers greater flexibility in repaying loans. They no longer need to renew their accounts every six months. Under the new system, farmers can repay their loan amount at any time during the year. He encouraged farmers to supplement grain production with horticultural crops. The ‘Ek Bagia Maa Ke Naam’ scheme has been launched for this purpose. The State Government is also promoting animal husbandry. A new Gaupalak Scheme has been launched to increase milk production by up to 20%. Under the scheme, livestock farmers will receive a ₹10 lakh subsidy on loans of ₹40 lakh. Farmers are also being connected with schemes related to fisheries, poultry and goat farming.
Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that the government is continuously working for the welfare of youth. Meritorious students who secured more than 75% marks in board examinations have been provided laptops. He urged children to study and become doctors, engineers and professionals, while maintaining their connection with agriculture. He said that agriculture is a proud and glorious legacy of India's rich culture. Books, uniforms and bicycles are being distributed to students of government schools. Grand Sandipani Schools are being developed across the state. Youth are being connected with industries and employment, with the government working to create a generation of young people who can generate employment in a prosperous Madhya Pradesh. He said that the Ken-Betwa River Linking Project was initiated first in Madhya Pradesh. He said, “Madhya Pradesh is changing. Farmers should not sell their land. Madhya Pradesh is poised to surpass Punjab and Haryana in agriculture.”
Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that expressways, highways and greenfield roads are being developed across the state. Aviation and railway connectivity is also being expanded. Poor and needy people are being provided free air ambulance services. He said that saving human lives is a priority for the State Government. Under the Rahveer Scheme, an incentive of ₹25,000 is provided to those who take road accident victims to hospitals. He said that the government has saved 16 cooperative banks associated with the state's Cooperative Department from becoming defaulters by providing them adequate funds.
Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that Prime Minister Shri Modi's birthday falls this month and he will complete 25 years in public life. He said that amid numerous challenges, Prime Minister Shri Modi has kept the lamp of hope burning for everyone. India is establishing a distinct standing in the world. India's economic growth rate is progressing at 7.8%, which, he said, is significantly higher than that of countries such as the United States and Japan.
Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that several railway development projects worth more than ₹1.14 lakh crore are underway in Madhya Pradesh. He also said that the State Government has passed the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill in the Legislative Assembly and is moving forward in this direction while working more firmly for the state's development.
Union Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia said that India is an agriculture-based nation. He said that the festival was being organised in Gwalior on the occasion of Lord Balaram’s birth anniversary, along with a cooperative conference. Cooperatives are benefiting farmers across the country. Respect for farmers has been a part of the heritage of the Gwalior region. Dams and reservoirs built in Gwalior-Chambal have strengthened agriculture.
Union Minister Shri Scindia said that the Sheopur region was connected by a narrow-gauge railway line so that farmers could sell their produce in Gwalior. Work is now progressing rapidly to convert the line to broad gauge, and it will soon connect Gwalior with Kota. He said that renewable energy would contribute significantly to farmers’ prosperity in the future.
Union Minister Shri Scindia said that Lord Balaram was also known as Shankarshan. Through the lines drawn by the plough, Lord Balaram conveyed the message of social unity. Prime Minister Shri Modi has resolved to empower farmers through modern technologies such as drones. He said that farmers produce food, thereby ensuring food security for the people of the country. Farmers in the state receive ₹12,000 annually under the Kisan Samman Nidhi, and more than ₹4.75 lakh crore has so far reached farmers’ bank accounts through the scheme. The Union Minister said that 60 lakh hectares of land in the state is now irrigated, while Chief Minister Dr. Yadav has set a target of increasing the irrigated area to 100 lakh hectares. Madhya Pradesh has surpassed Punjab in wheat production. Farmers will be provided Micro-ATMs and benefits under the Kisan Kavach Scheme. Offices have also been provided for 200 newly registered PACS societies.
Assembly Speaker Shri Narendra Singh Tomar said that the Balaram Jayanti Festival has been celebrated in Gwalior for nearly 20 years. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav has initiated the celebration of Balaram Jayanti across all districts of the state. He said, “If farmers prosper, the nation will prosper.” Farmers are also benefiting through the cooperative system. He said, “Punjab and Haryana were earlier considered leaders in agriculture, but Madhya Pradesh has now emerged as the number one state in agriculture.” The Speaker added that Madhya Pradesh was the first state in the country to provide farmers with interest-free loans. Farmers in the state are also receiving benefits under the Mukhyamantri Kisan Samman Nidhi. Prime Minister Shri Modi has set the goal of doubling farmers’ incomes. He said that the area under organic farming is continuously expanding, and Madhya Pradesh is also the number one state in the country in organic farming.
Minister for Sports and Youth Welfare and Cooperative Shri Vishwas Kailash Sarang said that the State Government has established a strong foundation for development and public welfare. Continuous efforts are being made Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Modi to double farmers’ incomes. At the initiative of Chief Minister Dr. Yadav, 2026 is being observed as Krishak Kalyan Varsh. Through the Cooperative Department, farmers in Madhya Pradesh are receiving agricultural loans at zero per cent interest. Efforts are being made to ensure that farmers derive maximum benefits through the cooperative system. He called upon everyone to take a pledge on Balaram Jayanti to make farming a profitable means of livelihood and ensure that farmers receive fair and adequate prices for their produce.
In his welcome address, Apex Bank, Bhopal Chairman Dr. Mahendra Singh Yadav said that Chief Minister Dr. Yadav had initiated the grand celebration of the birth anniversary of Lord Balaram, the son of the soil. Balaram Jayanti holds deep significance for the farmers. He said that during Farmers’ Welfare Year, Balaram Agriculture Festivals have so far been organised in 22 districts across the state. He said that Madhya Pradesh is moving ahead for farmers’ welfare, women’s welfare, youth welfare and welfare of the poor. Apex Bank Chairman Shri Singh placed several important demands for regional development before the Chief Minister, including an increase in the insurance coverage for credit card holders associated with PACS.
A large number of public representatives and farmers from the Gwalior-Chambal region attended the programme. Farmer Welfare and Agriculture Development Minister Shri Edal Singh Kansana, Minister for Social Justice and Horticulture Shri Narayan Singh Kushwah, Minister for New and Renewable Energy Shri Rakesh Shukla, Chairman of the Madhya Pradesh State Finance Commission Shri Jaibhan Singh Pawaiya, Chairman of the Madhya Pradesh State Forest Development Corporation Shri Ramniwas Rawat, MP Shri Bharat Singh Kushwah, MLA Shri Mohan Singh Rathore, MLA Shri Narendra Singh Kushwah, former MP Shri Vivek Shejwalkar and other public representatives were also present.
