Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that under the Atmanirbhar Madhya Pradesh, ‘Ek Jila –Ek Utpad’ (One District-One Product) scheme has been launched in the State. Under this, one product of each district will be promoted by publicizing it at a wide scale. Necessary network will be developed by spending Rs 7,440 crore in the next 4 years for fruits-vegetables, produced in the districts as well as grading of crops, packing and marketing. Our aim is that the farmers get a fair price for their produce. The State Government will take all possible steps for the value addition of agricultural products. District wise 17 agricultural products and 36 necessary technical activities have been identified. The services of technical experts, agricultural scientists as well as financial and business managers will be obtained for necessary guidance at every level.
The Chief Minister was addressing the meeting of Madhya Pradesh Atmanirbhar Krishi Mission-Agri Infrastructure Fund, held at Mantralaya on Tuesday. Minister for Farmers Welfare and Agriculture Development Kamal Patel, Minister of State for Farmers Welfare Girraj Dandotia, Chief Secretary Iqbal Singh Bains, Agriculture Production Commissioner K.K. Singh and other officials were present at the meeting.
Chouhan said that office of the Madhya Pradesh Atmanirbhar Krishi Mission has been set up at State level to encourage the establishment of agricultural products’ units. In this, officers of Agriculture, Cooperative, Fisheries, Horticulture and other departments concerned are being posted. This mission will give a credit guarantee of maximum Rs 2 crore, there will also be a provision for an exemption of up to three percent in interest. The mission will act as a state level project management unit and single window facility. Under this, work will be carried out to prepare project report, identification of investment area and export cluster, in-depth training at district level and making activities and information available on digital platform etc. MOU has been executed by the Mission with 15 banks.
Consent in principle as regard to various schemes has been received from 17 districts of the state. Five Model D.P.R. have already been prepared. Interest has been expressed by IFFCO to set up a ‘Swarna Ahaar’ Unit in the state. Under the mission, 150 farmer counters will be opened in the state, in which farmers will be connected to e-marketing platform.
Chouhan said that these agriculture related activities will create new employment opportunities in the state. He instructed to connect more and more people with the mission. Shri Chouhan said that along with farmer producer organizations, self-help groups should also be linked to these activities. Transparency in distribution of grant and selection of eligible people should be ensured, he added.