Gwalior: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav said farmers are the real strength of the country and announced that the state government will provide farmers with 10 hours of electricity during the daytime. He also set a target of increasing the state’s irrigated agricultural area from more than 60 lakh hectares to 100 lakh hectares within the next two-and-a-half years.
The Chief Minister was addressing the Balram Jayanti Mahotsav and Cooperative Farmers’ Conclave organised in Gwalior on the occasion of Hal Shashthi. He said the state government stands with farmers at every stage, from seed to market and farm to export.
Dr. Yadav said the sweat and hard work of farmers is the “fuel” of Madhya Pradesh’s economy and described Lord Balram as a symbol of dignity of labour and agricultural heritage.
Online Kisan Credit Card Portal Launched
During the programme, the Chief Minister launched several initiatives focused on farmer welfare through a single click.
The key initiatives launched included:
- Online Kisan Credit Card Portal: Farmers can now apply for Kisan Credit Cards from their homes.
- Simplification of Zero-Percent Interest Loan Scheme: The requirement to repay Kharif and Rabi agricultural loans separately has been removed. Farmers can now repay their loans at any time within a 12-month period according to their convenience.
- Krishak Kavach Scheme: The scheme aims to connect farmers who have been unable to access government schemes because verification of their bank accounts was pending.
- 200 New PACS Offices: New offices of 200 Primary Agricultural Credit Societies have been launched to strengthen cooperative activities at the village level.
- Apex Bank Divisional Branch: A divisional branch of the Apex Bank was inaugurated in Gwalior.
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Farmers to Get 10 Hours of Daytime Electricity
CM Mohan Yadav said the state government is focusing on strengthening irrigation facilities and electricity supply for farmers.
He said farmers in Madhya Pradesh are currently receiving electricity for irrigation and that the government will now ensure 10 hours of electricity during the daytime.
The Chief Minister said the state’s irrigation coverage has already crossed 60 lakh hectares, and the government has set an ambitious target of increasing it to 100 lakh hectares within the next two-and-a-half years.
He also said Madhya Pradesh has emerged as a leading state in power generation.
Government Working from Seed to Market and Farm to Export
Addressing farmers, CM Yadav said the government is working to strengthen the entire agricultural value chain.
He said Madhya Pradesh is moving towards a new direction covering agriculture, agri-tech, agri-business and food processing.
The Chief Minister encouraged farmers to focus on:
- Efficient use of every drop of water
- Natural farming
- Grading, processing and packaging of agricultural produce
- Direct connection with markets
- Crop diversification
- Horticulture and new crops
- Fisheries and allied agricultural activities
- Agricultural entrepreneurship among youth
He also urged farmers to obtain a Farmer ID, saying it would make access to government schemes, minimum support price payments and subsidised fertiliser and seeds easier.
Madhya Pradesh Targets ‘Milk Capital’ Status
CM Yadav said the state government aims to make Madhya Pradesh the milk capital of India.
He said a Vrindavan Gram is being developed in every block of the state, while the fodder subsidy has been increased from ₹20 to ₹40.
The government is also promoting animal husbandry and has launched a new cow-rearing scheme aimed at increasing milk production by up to 20%.
Under the scheme:
- Livestock owners can receive loans of up to ₹40 lakh.
- A subsidy of ₹10 lakh is provided on the loan.
- Farmers are also being connected with fisheries, poultry and goat-rearing schemes.
Zero-Interest Agricultural Loans Simplified
The Chief Minister said farmers will no longer have to renew or turn over their loan accounts every six months.
Under the new arrangement, farmers can repay their agricultural loans at any time during the year, providing greater flexibility in loan repayment.
The government is also encouraging farmers to diversify beyond traditional foodgrain cultivation and benefit from horticultural crops.
As part of this effort, the “Ek Bagia Maa Ke Naam” initiative has been launched to promote horticulture.
Focus on Agri-Tech and Food Processing
CM Yadav said agriculture is Madhya Pradesh’s heritage, while agri-tech and agri-business represent its future.
He said the state is working to bring a new agricultural transformation through:
- Technology
- Food and agricultural processing
- Better market access
- Horticulture
- Organic farming
- Fisheries
- Crop diversification
He urged farmers to increase the value of their produce through processing, grading and packaging rather than limiting themselves to raw agricultural production.
Jyotiraditya Scindia Highlights Technology and Connectivity
Union Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region Jyotiraditya Scindia said India is fundamentally an agricultural nation and highlighted the role of cooperatives in improving farmers’ livelihoods.
He said dams and reservoirs in the Gwalior-Chambal region have contributed to agricultural development.
Scindia also highlighted railway connectivity for farmers and said work is progressing rapidly to convert the railway line connecting the Sheopur region to broad gauge. The line is expected to eventually connect Gwalior with Kota.
He also emphasised the potential of renewable energy and modern technologies such as drones to contribute to farmers’ prosperity.
Scindia said farmers in Madhya Pradesh receive ₹12,000 annually under the Kisan Samman Nidhi, and highlighted the state’s progress in irrigation and wheat production.
MP Government Focuses on Farmer Welfare and Cooperatives
Madhya Pradesh Assembly Speaker Narendra Singh Tomar said the Balram Jayanti Mahotsav has been organised in Gwalior for nearly 20 years and that the Chief Minister has expanded the celebration to all districts of the state.
He emphasised that the prosperity of farmers is directly linked to the prosperity of the country.
Cooperation Minister Vishwas Kailash Sarang said 2026 is being observed as the Year of Farmer Welfare in Madhya Pradesh on the initiative of CM Mohan Yadav.
He said farmers are receiving agricultural loans at zero percent interest through the cooperative system and stressed the need to ensure that farming becomes a profitable activity and farmers receive appropriate prices for their produce.
Support Announced for Shivpuri District Central Cooperative Bank
During the programme, CM Mohan Yadav announced that the state government would provide the necessary assistance to District Central Cooperative Bank Shivpuri to help it recover from its current financial condition.
The announcement was made as part of the government’s broader efforts to strengthen the cooperative banking system and expand the benefits of cooperative institutions to farmers.
The Chief Minister also said the government had helped 16 cooperative banks associated with the state’s cooperative department avoid becoming defaulters by providing adequate financial support.
Agriculture, Youth and Rural Development Initiatives
CM Yadav also highlighted several initiatives aimed at supporting young people and rural communities.
He said meritorious students who secured more than 75% marks in board examinations have been provided laptops, while government school students are being supported with books, uniforms and bicycles.
The government is also developing Sandipani Vidyalayas across the state and working to connect young people with industries and employment opportunities.
The Chief Minister urged young people to maintain their connection with agriculture even while pursuing careers such as medicine and engineering, describing agriculture as an important part of Madhya Pradesh’s cultural and economic heritage.
Infrastructure and Connectivity Development in Madhya Pradesh
The Chief Minister said Madhya Pradesh is witnessing large-scale infrastructure development, including the construction of expressways, highways and greenfield roads.
He also highlighted the expansion of aviation and railway connectivity across the state.
According to CM Yadav, railway development projects worth more than ₹1.14 lakh crore are currently underway in Madhya Pradesh.
He also highlighted the Ken-Betwa River Linking Project, saying Madhya Pradesh has taken the lead in implementing the project.
Government Expands Farmer-Centric Schemes
The event brought together senior ministers, elected representatives and a large number of farmers from the Gwalior-Chambal region.
Those present included:
- Edel Singh Kansana, Minister for Farmers Welfare and Agriculture Development
- Narayan Singh Kushwaha, Minister for Social Justice and Horticulture
- Rakesh Shukla, Minister for New and Renewable Energy
- Jaibhan Singh Pawaiya, Chairman, Madhya Pradesh State Finance Commission
- Ramniwas Rawat, Chairman, Madhya Pradesh State Forest Development Corporation
- Bharat Singh Kushwaha, Member of Parliament
- Mohan Singh Rathore, MLA
- Narendra Singh Kushwaha, MLA
- Vivek Shejwalkar, former Member of Parliament
- Other public representatives and farmers from the Gwalior-Chambal region
Apex Bank Chairman Dr. Mahendra Singh Yadav delivered the welcome address and highlighted the government’s efforts to celebrate Balram Jayanti across the state. He said Balram agricultural festivals had already been organised in 22 districts during the Year of Farmer Welfare.
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