Staff Reporter :
ADDRESSING a massive farmers’ convention held on
Sunday at Jamboree Maidan
in Bhopal, the Chief Minister
Dr Mohan Yadav formally
announced that 2026 will be
observed as ‘Krishak Kalyan
Varsh’. The Chief Minister stated that 2026 will usher in new
hopes and opportunities for
the state’s farmers. He said that
farmers who sustain society
through their hard work. Chief
Minister Dr Yadav said that
making farmers self-reliant
and ensuring their prosperity
is the government’s foremost
objective.
Chief Minister Dr Yadav said
that the Government will take
every necessary step to
increase farmers’ income,
transforming agriculture into
a profitable enterprise through
modern technology, improved
seeds, irrigation, storage facilities and better market access.
He emphasised that agriculture is not merely a means of
livelihood, but the backbone
of the state’s economy, and no
effort will be spared to
strengthen the sector.
The Chief Minister launched
the e-Vikas, Distribution and
Agricultural Fertiliser Supply
Solution System (Vikas Portal) on
this occasion. A short film highlighting initiatives planned under
‘Krishak Kalyan Varsh’ 2026 to
enhance farmers’ income, welfare and happiness was also
screened. Farmers were briefed
on Government schemes, innovations, and the future roadmap.
Entire year dedicated
to farmer welfare
Chief Minister Dr Yadav stated that Madhya Pradesh is the
first state in the country to dedicate an entire year exclusively
to farmer welfare. Efforts will
also be made to increase farmers’ income from crop residue
(parali).
He stated with pride
that Madhya Pradesh is the only
State where cultivated area has
increased by 250,000 hectares in
recent years. Dr. Yadav said that
projects such as the Parvati–
Kalisindh– Chambal (PKC) river link, Ken–Betwa river link
(national project) and the Tapi
groundwater recharge mega
project will provide irrigation to
over 1.6 million hectares of additional agricultural land across
25 districts.
Commitments delivered
for farmers’ benefit
Chief Minister Dr Yadav stated that the Government has
delivered on every promise made
in the interest of farmers. To promote anna (millets) production,
a Madhya Pradesh State Anna
Research Centre will be established in Dindori.
Research centres for mustard in Gwalior and
chickpea in Ujjain are also being
set up to enhance quality and productivity.
He announced that over 3 million farmers will receive solar
power pumps in the next three
years, with one million pumps
distributed annually, turning
farmers from food providers into
self-reliant energy providers. The
irrigated area, currently at 6.5
million hectares, will reach 10 million hectares by 2028–29.
Comprehensive
measures for farmers’
prosperity
Under the Farmer Welfare Year,
the Government will take all necessary steps for the holistic welfare of farmers. More than 16
departments and ministries will
work in coordination throughout the year to restore farmers’
prosperity.
After the soybean, the
Bhavantar scheme will also be
extended to mustard. Farmers’
participation in agro-based
industries will be increased, with
subsidies provided to entrepreneurs. Seed testing laboratories
will be strengthened, and all
mandis will be modernised.
Strengthening
agricultural system
through vacant
post recruitment
Chief Minister Dr Yadav said
that the Government is expediting recruitment to fill vacant
posts in the Agriculture
Department and State
Agricultural Marketing (Mandi)
Board, thereby strengthening the
agricultural system. The scope of
micro-irrigation will be expanded, and modern technology will be deployed to assess crop damage, ensuring timely compensation.
The zero-percent interest
loan scheme for farmers will continue.
Better prices, more
opportunities
All necessary arrangements
will be made to promote agrobased industries, ensuring farmers receive better value for their
produce and labour while generating employment opportunities in villages. Agricultural festivals and farmers’ fairs will be
organised statewide to impart
modern farming practices.
Natural and organic farming will
be promoted alongside innovation.
Dr Yadav said farmers who toil
in the fields exemplify the highest form of national service, and
it is the Government’s duty to
serve, support, and strengthen
them. He urged farmers to adopt
new technologies and modernise
agriculture.
Vision for a prosperous
agrarian State
Calling farmers the pride of
Madhya Pradesh, the Chief
Minister said that with Farmer
Welfare Year, the State will build
a prosperous future through self-reliant farmers, advanced agriculture, and a value-chain-based
rural economy. Income enhancement, cost reduction, profitable
farming, technology-driven
innovation, agro-industries, food
processing, green energy from
agricultural waste, ‘Per Drop
More Crop 2.0’, soil health management, branding and exports
of agricultural produce, research
and innovation, youth engagement, agri-tourism, dairy, animal
husbandry, fisheries, horticulture, spices and medicinal crops
will all receive focused attention.
Boost to agri-based
start-ups
Chief Minister Dr Yadav said,
“Agriculture-based start-ups will
be encouraged, with simple,
transparent, and time-bound
systems for investors.
Mega food
parks, agro-processing clusters,
and logistics infrastructure will
be strengthened under the ‘Farm
to Factory’ vision to ensure farmers are empowered from production to market.”
Ten commitments for
farmers welfare
Chief Minister Dr Yadav outlined 10 directional models as
commitments to increase farmers’ income, reduce costs and
ensure sustainable agriculture,
covering natural and organic
farming, efficient resource use,
energy from agricultural waste
(CBG plants), MP Global
Agri Branding, agri-hackathons,
food processing, research,
innovation and modern technology adoption.
Year-long calendar
announced
A calendar of events for
‘Krishak Kalyan Varsh’ 2026 was
released. The calendar includes
‘Kodo–Kutki’ bonus distribution
in February, Natural farming conclave in March, Mango Festival
(Narmadapuram) in May, FPO
Convention at Indore, Agri
Infrastructure Fund workshops
at Chhindwara in
August–September, Food Festival
and Sugarcane Festival at
Narsinghpur in
October–November.
Chief Minister Dr Yadav reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to ensure adequate
water, electricity, zero-interest
loans, timely MSP payments and
crop insurance.
Exhibition and inaugural
ceremonies
Chief Minister Dr Yadav inaugurated the Agricultural
Development Exhibition, performed Gaumata pujan, lit the
ceremonial lamp, and conducted Kanya Pujan. He visited all
stalls, interacted with exhibitors,
reviewed indigenous and exotic cattle breeds, and witnessed
displays of 65 advanced agricultural implements. Benefits
under various agriculture
department schemes were also
distributed.
Senior public representatives
and ministers lauded the
Government’s farmer-centric initiatives. A large number of farmers from Bhopal and
Narmadapuram divisions
attended the convention, marking a landmark beginning to
Farmer Welfare Year 2026