Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav has reaffirmed the state government’s focus on increasing farmer incomes, highlighting a series of irrigation, crop diversification and agricultural development initiatives in Damoh district.
Addressing the Balram Krishi Mahotsav in Damoh through video conferencing on September 15, the Chief Minister said the government is committed to farmers’ welfare and is working to create stronger systems from farms to markets and from agricultural inputs to direct payments into farmers’ accounts.
He said every grain produced through farmers’ hard work is valuable and assured that the government would continue to stand with the state’s “annadatas”.
Damoh Expands Its Agricultural Footprint
Damoh has developed a distinct identity in agriculture in recent years. According to the Chief Minister, around 6.72 lakh hectares of land in the district is under cultivation, with nearly 86% of the agricultural area irrigated.
The district is particularly known for its chana, while new opportunities are emerging in food processing and agro-product manufacturing.
Farmers are gradually moving beyond traditional crops such as wheat, gram and paddy towards high-value crops. As part of this diversification push, more than 100 farmers have received free ashwagandha seeds and agricultural training to encourage cultivation of the medicinal plant.
The government also plans to introduce makhana cultivation in Damoh from the next kharif season as an agricultural innovation.
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Government Pushes Crop Diversification
Dr Yadav urged farmers to explore multiple sources of income instead of depending only on conventional crops.
He encouraged them to adopt:
- Crop diversification and modern agricultural technology
- Horticulture and innovation
- Natural and organic farming
- Dairy and cattle rearing
- Livestock and other milch-animal-based activities
- Fisheries
The government is also promoting natural and organic farming through organic and natural farming haat markets in all seven development blocks of Damoh.
The initiative is aimed at creating better opportunities for farmers to market alternative agricultural produce while strengthening rural livelihoods.
Irrigation Projects to Expand Farming
The state government is also focusing on increasing irrigation coverage in Damoh.
The Chief Minister said the Ken-Betwa River Linking Project is expected to become a major benefit for the district. Several irrigation projects are also progressing across the region.
The Jhapan Nala Medium Irrigation Project in Tendukheda, being developed at a cost of more than ₹165 crore, will irrigate around 3,600 hectares of agricultural land across more than 17 villages.
Work on the Satdharu Medium Irrigation Project, Parna reservoir and Dadpur stop dam is also being expedited.
At the same time, the government has set a target of expanding the area covered by micro-irrigation in Damoh to 1.35 lakh hectares.
The expansion of irrigation is expected to help farmers increase cropping opportunities, reduce dependence on rainfall and improve productivity.
Dairy and Fisheries Create New Rural Income Streams
Agriculture is not the only area receiving attention. The government is seeking to strengthen allied activities such as dairy and fisheries as additional sources of rural income.
Damoh has registered nine new dairy cooperative societies during the past year. Under the first phase of the Ksheerdhara Gram Yojana, 65 villages in the district have been selected.
The fisheries sector is also receiving a boost. Under the Mukhyamantri Matsya Samriddhi Yojana, 14 hygienic fish parlours are being developed in the district.
These initiatives are intended to make livestock, dairy and fisheries stronger pillars of the rural economy alongside crop cultivation.
MSP Registration Begins for Farmers
The Chief Minister also informed farmers that registration for procurement of paddy and jowar-bajra at Minimum Support Price (MSP) has started from September 15.
The registration process will remain open until October 10, allowing eligible farmers to register their produce for procurement under the MSP system.
The government is also using digital services to improve access to financial support. Dr Yadav said an online portal for Kisan Credit Cards has been launched, allowing farmers to apply for a credit card through a simplified digital process.
CM Interacts With Progressive Farmers
During the programme, Dr Yadav also interacted with progressive farmers from Damoh and discussed their farming practices and experiences.
He spoke with farmers including Khamman Singh Lodhi, Sameer Kumar Ahirwal and Ram Kureria, among others, about natural and organic farming and their agricultural activities.
The interaction highlighted the role of farmers who are experimenting with alternative farming methods and new crops.
For Damoh, the broader strategy goes beyond increasing crop production. With irrigation expansion, high-value crops, natural farming, food processing, dairy and fisheries being developed together, the government is seeking to create multiple income opportunities for rural households.
The focus on diversification is particularly significant because it can help farmers reduce dependence on a single crop and create additional earning avenues through allied agricultural activities.
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