Madhya Pradesh has chalked out a new roadmap for even more enthusiastic participation of farmers in agriculture. Next year, loans worth `20 thousand crore will be provided to farmers from co-operative banks. Innovative initiative like promoting public sector participation in increasing pulses production in 25,000 hectares will be undertaken.
By year 2020, irrigation facility will be made available in 60 lakh hectares. Irrigation plans of all districts are being chalked out under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana. Farmers will be provided solar pumps on 86 per cent subsidy. Storage capacity in Madhya Pradesh is maximum in the country. Storage capacity was 79 lakh MT in year 2010-11, which has increased to 158 lakh MT in year 2014-15.
As a result of Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s approach for revolutionary change in agriculture sector, farmers also gave full cooperation and the state has been given Krishi Karman Award for consecutive fourth year.
Food grains production in the state rose to 320.43 lakh MT in year 2014-15, which was 32.19 percent more than 242.40 lakh MT last year. The state excelled in every sector of agriculture. Due to Krishi Cabinet, pace of decision-making in favour of farmers increased.
First of all, attention was paid to ensure adequate irrigation in the state. During year 2008-09, irrigation capacity was 9.77 lakh hectares, which rose to 32.29 lakh hectares in year 2014-15. Total 89.65 lakh hectare area was irrigated from all sources during year 2012-13, which rose to 102.48 lakh hectares in year 2014-15. Under Kapil Dhara Yojana, 27 thousand 448 wells were dug. Area under third crop has increased to 3.60 lakh during year 2014-15. Similarly, fallow land area came down from 14.33 lakh hectares in year 2007 to 6.95 lakh hectares in year 2014-15.
Through use of Madagascar Method and other innovative measures, paddy area in the state has increased to 5.48 lakh hectares. The same method was used to increase production of wheat, maize, gram, soybean and mustard. It is a novel initiative for State’s farmers.
To promote organic farming, seed quality programme was conducted in 40 thousand villages. For maximizing use of agriculture implements, 200 villages were developed as Yantradoot Grams. Besides, programmes for organic farming were also conducted on a large scale in 32 development blocks of 16 districts.
Programme to produce organic seeds is on in 10 government farms as an innovation. Keeping in view its results, it is hoped that Madhya Pradesh will become pioneer in the country in production of organic seeds.