In a rare feat, Madhya Pradesh has posted the highest agricultural growth in the country for the second consecutive year. The State registered an impressive 13.33 per cent growth. In the previous year, it was 18.91 per cent. This is a record of sorts in the country.
Madhya Pradesh produced 2,31,12,000 mt of food grains in 2012-13 against 2.03 crore mt in 2011-12. With this, Madhya Pradesh has surpassed Haryana in food grains production and now stands third after Punjab and Uttar Pradesh in this respect.
In 2012-13, Madhya Pradesh has contributed 9.50 per cent to country’s total food grains produce of 2553.62 lakh mt. The State tops the country in gram and pulses production by posting record produce of 31.99 lakh mt gram and 46.89 lakh mt of pulses.
The achievements of Madhya Pradesh in agriculture are largely because of the efforts of the State government. Madhya Pradesh is the only State in the country to extend farm loans at zero per cent interest rate to farmers. last year, Rs 10,800 crore was advanced to farmers. This year, a target of Rs 12,000 crore has been fixed.
Augmentation of irrigation facilities has played a major role in agricultural growth of the State. Over a period of only 6 years, irrigation facility has been increased from 7 lakh hectare to 26 lakh hectare, which is a record in the country. Fertilisers and seeds were made available to farmers on time. The farmers were provided the facility of advance stocking of fertilisers which saved the farmers Rs 300 crore last year.
Area under agriculture has also been increased considerably over the years. In 2008-09 a total of 196.60 lakh hectare was under cultivation in the State. This has increased to 223 lakh hectare, an increase of about 27 lakh hectare.
For better coordination between agriculture and allied departments and to facilitate quick decisions regarding agriculture, a Krishi Cabinet has been constituted in the State.