Bhopal/Dhar: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav on October 24 inaugurated the ₹2,387.60 crore Narmada–Jhabua–Petlawad–Thandla–Sardarpur Micro Lift Irrigation Project at the sports complex in Sardarpur, Dhar district. The project aims to improve irrigation access for farmers across the region by supplying Narmada water to agricultural land.
The project is expected to bring 57,422 hectares of land across 260 villages under irrigation and benefit approximately 72,000 farmers in Dhar and Jhabua districts.
During the programme, the Chief Minister reviewed the project’s route map, visited an exhibition and stalls showcasing various products, and interacted with participants to learn about their manufacturing processes, features and uses.
He also inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for 188 development works and transferred ₹317.86 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana to the bank accounts of eligible beneficiaries.
Narmada Irrigation Project to Boost Agriculture in Dhar and Jhabua
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said the project would strengthen irrigation infrastructure in Dhar, Jhabua and surrounding areas by extending the benefits of Narmada water to more farmers.
He said that under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, several projects following the Sardar Sarovar Dam initiative have helped bring Narmada water to the Dhar-Jhabua region.
The Chief Minister described the new micro lift irrigation project as a significant investment in agricultural development and farmers’ prosperity. He said the government was committed to expanding irrigation facilities and ensuring that more agricultural land received reliable water supplies.
According to Yadav, improved irrigation would help farmers increase agricultural productivity, reduce dependence on rainfall and strengthen their livelihoods.
Madhya Pradesh Targets Irrigation of 100 Lakh Hectares
The Chief Minister highlighted the expansion of irrigation coverage in Madhya Pradesh over the past two decades.
He said that in 2002–03, only around 7.5 lakh hectares of land in the state had irrigation facilities. By 2023, the irrigated area had increased to approximately 40 lakh hectares, and the state government had expanded it to around 60 lakh hectares over the subsequent two-and-a-half years.
The government has set a target of increasing the state’s irrigated area to 100 lakh hectares.
Yadav said irrigation expansion remained a key priority under the government’s focus on farmer welfare. He added that providing water to previously unirrigated fields could improve crop yields and help farmers achieve greater economic stability.
He also said the state was working to promote growth across agriculture, industry and other sectors, with farmers’ prosperity remaining a central objective.
₹317.86 Crore Crop Insurance Benefits Transferred to Farmers
Alongside the irrigation project inauguration, the Chief Minister announced financial assistance for farmers under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana.
According to the state government, ₹317.86 crore was transferred to the accounts of 16.70 lakh farmers ahead of Diwali.
The transfer was presented as part of the government’s efforts to provide financial support to farmers during the festive season and strengthen agricultural welfare measures.
The programme also highlighted other initiatives intended to improve rural livelihoods, support agricultural diversification and expand access to public services.
Government Aims to Reduce Migration Through Irrigation and Employment
Chief Minister Yadav said improved infrastructure, agricultural development and industrial investment would create more opportunities for people in Dhar and Jhabua, helping reduce migration from the region.
He referred to the development of road, railway and air connectivity across Madhya Pradesh and noted that Dhar had also received a railway connectivity project.
The Chief Minister also highlighted the PM MITRA Park initiative in Dhar, announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his birthday.
The park is intended to support the textile value chain, enabling cotton to be processed into yarn, yarn into fabric and fabric into ready-made garments at a single location.
According to Yadav, the project is expected to benefit around six lakh cotton-producing farmers in the Nimar-Malwa region and create employment opportunities for approximately three lakh people.
He said the combination of irrigation infrastructure and industrial development could provide more livelihood opportunities for farmers, young people and women, reducing the need to migrate elsewhere for work.
Dairy Farming Scheme to Provide Subsidy of ₹10 Lakh
The Chief Minister also highlighted a new initiative to promote milk production and strengthen rural incomes.
He said that a farmer investing approximately ₹43 lakh to purchase 25 cows or buffaloes and establish a dairy could receive a government subsidy of ₹10 lakh under the scheme he outlined.
The initiative aims to encourage dairy farming as an additional source of income for agricultural households and support the growth of the state’s dairy sector.
Yadav said higher milk production could contribute to greater prosperity for farmers and diversify rural livelihood opportunities beyond crop cultivation.
Sugam Parivahan Bus Service and Rural Property Rights
The Chief Minister also referred to the launch of the Mukhyamantri Sugam Parivahan Bus Seva, which is intended to improve transport access for residents, including people living in rural areas. He said the service would be particularly useful during the festive season.
He also highlighted the state government’s commitment under the Swamitva Yojana to facilitating 50 lakh free property registrations.
According to Yadav, secure property records would help rural residents establish legal ownership of their houses and land and improve their eligibility to obtain loans from banks and other financial institutions.
These initiatives, he said, were part of the government’s broader effort to improve rural infrastructure, access to services and economic opportunities.
Amka-Jhamka Mata Site to Be Developed as Pilgrimage Destination
The Chief Minister announced that the Amka-Jhamka Mata site in Dhar district had been included in the Shri Krishna Pathey Yojana for development as a pilgrimage destination.
According to the state government’s account, the site is associated with the marriage of Lord Krishna and Rukmini.
Yadav said development work worth ₹3 crore for the temple site was among the projects for which foundation stones were laid during the programme.
He also said the government had granted national festival status to the Bhagoria festival, which is associated with tribal communities in the region.
The Chief Minister added that a medical college for Dhar would be provided soon and that villages left out of existing irrigation projects would also be considered for inclusion.
Dhar Receives Development Projects Worth Around ₹2,400 Crore
The programme included the inauguration and foundation-laying of several additional infrastructure and public service projects in Dhar district.
According to the Chief Minister, the development package amounted to approximately ₹2,400 crore, including the ₹2,387.60 crore micro lift irrigation project and other works.
The projects inaugurated included four bridges constructed at a cost of ₹25 crore, school buildings worth ₹15 crore and a 50-bed hospital, along with other development works.
The programme also included the foundation-laying of 35 new works worth approximately ₹188 crore. These included a girls’ school building, an Industrial Training Institute (ITI) building and development work at the Amka-Jhamka Mata temple.
The projects are intended to strengthen irrigation, education, healthcare, transport and religious tourism infrastructure in the district.
Ministers Highlight Farmer Welfare and Regional Development
Urban Development and Housing Minister and Dhar district in-charge Kailash Vijayvargiya said the Chief Minister had set a target of bringing 100 lakh hectares of land under irrigation in Madhya Pradesh.
He said the newly inaugurated project would benefit approximately 72,000 farmers and enable them to access Narmada and Mahi water for agricultural activities. He also expressed confidence that expanded irrigation facilities would help farmers cultivate more than one crop annually in suitable areas.
Union Minister Savitri Thakur said the state government was working on women’s empowerment, youth skill development and other areas under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Mohan Yadav. She also referred to the pace of industrial investment in Madhya Pradesh.
Women and Child Development Minister Nirmala Bhuria said the project would provide Narmada water for irrigation in Dhar, Jhabua, Petlawad, Thandla and Sardarpur. She added that areas not yet covered by the project would be considered for inclusion.
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