Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav has said that horticulture crops are a powerful tool for increasing farmers’ income and called for a significant expansion in their cultivation area across the state.
Chairing a high-level review meeting of the Horticulture and Food Processing Department in Bhopal, the Chief Minister said the state must encourage more farmers to adopt fruit, flower, vegetable, spice, medicinal, and aromatic crop cultivation for higher and faster earnings.
Madhya Pradesh Ranks First in Spice Production in India
CM Yadav highlighted that Madhya Pradesh has emerged as a national leader in spice production.
Key agricultural rankings of the state:
- Spice crops: 57.72 lakh metric tonnes (No. 1 in India)
- Flower production: 4.88 lakh metric tonnes (3rd in India)
- Vegetable production: 259.52 lakh metric tonnes (3rd in India)
- Fruit production: 102.44 lakh metric tonnes (4th in India)
He said this achievement reflects the strong agricultural potential of the state and should be further strengthened.
Focus on Expanding Horticulture Area to Boost Farmer Income
The Chief Minister directed officials to expand horticulture cultivation in a planned manner, stating that these crops can generate higher income from smaller land holdings.
He stressed:
- Promotion of natural and organic farming practices
- Use of bio-fertilizers and modern agricultural techniques
- Expansion of horticulture crop acreage year after year
- Strong market linkage and branding of farm produce
He also emphasized that international demand for spices and horticulture products is increasing, creating new export opportunities for the state.
Centre for Floriculture to Be Established in Ujjain
In a major announcement, CM Yadav said a Centre for Excellence in Floriculture will be set up in Ujjain to promote flower cultivation.
The project is being developed in preparation for Simhastha 2028, with:
- 19 acres of land identified near Ujjain
- Coordination with the central government underway
- Focus on boosting commercial flower farming
GI Tag Push for Unique Agricultural Products
The state government is working to secure Geographical Indication (GI) tags for several local agricultural products to strengthen branding and global recognition.
Products include:
- Jabalpur peas
- Kumbhraj coriander (Guna)
- Buranpur banana
- Ratlam garlic
- Khargone chilli
- Malwa potato (Indore)
- Chhatarpur betel leaf
This initiative aims to improve market value and global demand for Madhya Pradesh produce.
Expansion of Horticulture to Reach 30 Lakh Hectares by 2030
Officials informed that the horticulture sector is expected to expand significantly, with a target of 30 lakh hectares by 2030.
A new Horticulture Promotion Agency is also being established to strengthen exports and investment in the sector.
Promotion of Makhana Cultivation Across 14 Districts
The state is also expanding makhana (fox nut) cultivation across 14 districts, including:
Narmadapuram, Seoni, Balaghat, Chhindwara, Jabalpur, Katni, Mandla, Dindori, Rewa, Shahdol, Raisen, Anuppur, Panna, and Satna.
Key details:
- Target cultivation area: 85 hectares this year
- Central government subsidy: 40% of project cost
Upcoming Fruit and Agro-Food Festivals Across Madhya Pradesh
The government will organize a series of agro-based festivals to promote horticulture and food processing:
- June: Mango Festival (Bhopal)
- July: Chilli Festival (Khargone)
- September: Banana Festival (Burhanpur)
- October: Vegetable Festival (Indore)
- November: Guava Festival (Gwalior)
- December: Beekeeping awareness seminar (Gwalior)
CM Yadav also directed officials to organize an Orange Festival and promote kitchen gardening awareness among citizens.
High-Tech Nurseries and Smart Farming Expansion
The state is modernizing its agricultural infrastructure with:
- Upgradation of 40 nurseries into high-tech units
- Expansion of micro-irrigation over 15,000 hectares
- Development of smart seed farms in Sagar and Dewas
- Promotion of precision irrigation systems
A village in Dhar district, Rupakheda, is also emerging as a “flower farming hub,” being compared to a European-style horticulture model.
Focus on Food Processing and Value Addition
CM Yadav emphasized the importance of food processing industries to increase farmers’ income.
He said:
- Small-scale processing units should be promoted
- Agro-based industries will create rural employment
- Value addition will ensure better market prices for farmers
He also stressed better coordination between agriculture and horticulture departments for effective implementation of schemes.
Government Push for Modern and Profitable Farming
The Chief Minister reiterated that the government’s top priority is to make farming modern, sustainable, and profitable. He said horticulture expansion, combined with food processing and market linkage, will transform the rural economy and improve farmers’ quality of life across Madhya Pradesh.
