Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav chaired the state’s first Agriculture Cabinet meeting at Nagalwadi in Barwani district on Tuesday. This historic session, held in a tribal region for the first time, approved a total expenditure of ₹27,746 crore aimed at farmers’ welfare, irrigation, animal husbandry, and agricultural development across 16 departments.
Before the meeting, CM Dr. Yadav along with the cabinet ministers performed a ceremonial puja at the Bhilt Dev temple, marking an auspicious start to the proceedings.
Major Focus Areas: Irrigation, Animal Husbandry, and Farmer Welfare
CM Yadav highlighted key allocations approved in the meeting:
- Irrigation: ₹1,208 crore for the Pansemal Irrigation Project; Barla Udhwan Micro-Irrigation Project in Barwani launched as a lifeline scheme for local farmers.
- Agriculture Welfare: ₹3,502 crore for agricultural development initiatives.
- Animal Husbandry and Dairy Development: ₹9,508 crore across four schemes to enhance livestock and dairy production.
- Cooperative Department: ₹8,186 crore to improve access to loans, fertilizers, and seeds for farmers.
- Food Processing and Nutritional Programs: ₹4,264 crore.
- Narmada Valley Development: ₹2,068 crore for irrigation and water management projects.
The government also approved ₹2,397 crore under the Prime Minister Kisan Irrigation Scheme and announced the continuation of the crop support initiative for soybean farmers. The Agriculture Welfare Year aims for a total investment of ₹38,000 crore.
District-Specific Initiatives
For Barwani district, the cabinet announced several targeted measures:
- Development of Khetiya Agricultural Produce Market as a model mandi.
- Training of 25 farmers as master trainers in natural farming, with external training opportunities.
- Seed Corporation initiatives to make Bajatta Khurd an ideal seed center.
- Expansion of irrigation across 5,940 hectares in the Pati region.
These steps are designed to enhance local agriculture productivity and farmer prosperity.
CM Emphasizes Development and Farmers’ Welfare
CM Dr. Yadav noted that starting the Agriculture Cabinet meeting at the Bhilt Dev temple is a positive sign for the Nimad region. He emphasized that the government is committed to comprehensive development under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, ensuring all cabinet decisions benefit farmers and the state.
He also highlighted the strategic importance of the Narmada River belt for regional agriculture and called this historic session a milestone in empowering tribal and rural farmers.
