BHOPAL: Reaffirming the Madhya Pradesh government’s commitment to agricultural prosperity, Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav interacted virtually with farmers in Jhabua on Sunday during the ongoing Balram Krishi Mahotsav. He stressed that the state is working relentlessly to increase farmers’ income, make agriculture highly profitable, and heavily incentivize modern and natural farming techniques.
The interaction was a key component of the Balram Krishi Mahotsav-2026, currently being celebrated statewide under the ‘Krishak Kalyan Varsh’ (Farmers’ Welfare Year). Following its launch in Indore, the mega-agricultural festival will travel to Alirajpur on July 21, Barwani on July 23, Khargone on July 25, Burhanpur on July 27, and Khandwa on July 30, before concluding its statewide run on November 13 with the active participation of 16 different government departments.
Weather Preparedness and Financial Relief
Addressing the meteorological department’s forecast of potentially below-normal rainfall this year, Dr. Yadav directed the local administration to remain fully prepared to assist farmers in any contingency.
To provide immediate financial padding, the Chief Minister highlighted several aggressive welfare measures:
- Zero Percent Interest: Crop loans up to ₹3 lakh are being provided at 0% interest.
- Subsidized Power: Electricity connections for farmers are being offered for a nominal fee of just ₹5.
- Dairy Development: A massive 33% subsidy provision has been established for dairy development projects costing up to ₹40 lakh.
Transforming Jhabua: Kadaknath, Cotton, and the “Tomato Hub”
Highlighting Jhabua’s unique agricultural footprint, Dr. Yadav emphasized the aggressive promotion of the famous Kadaknath chicken under the “One District-One Product” (ODOP) scheme, noting that over 1,000 new beneficiaries were added to the poultry farming initiative in 2025 alone.
The region is also seeing a massive surge in cash crops. Cotton sowing in the Kharif-2026 season has expanded to 23,230 hectares in Jhabua—a 16% increase from the previous year. The Chief Minister noted that the upcoming PM Mitra Park in Badnawar (Dhar) will provide these cotton farmers with a direct “farm-to-factory” pipeline, drastically boosting local employment and industrial growth.
Furthermore, Jhabua has successfully established itself as a major tomato hub. With cultivation spanning 2,812 hectares and yielding approximately 1.68 lakh metric tons, a dedicated tomato processing unit and farmer cluster have been developed in Petlawad. The region now produces ketchup and sauce, utilizing 12 solar dryer units for dehydration, and exports tomatoes to Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi.
Natural Farming and Major Irrigation Projects
Advancing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision, Dr. Yadav announced that 50 ‘Krishi Sakhis’ have been selected in Jhabua under the National Natural Farming Mission. Currently, natural farming is being practiced and officially certified across 3,125 acres in the district.
To combat water scarcity, the Chief Minister provided an update on the crucial Narmada-Jhabua-Petlawad-Thandla Micro Lift Irrigation Project. Once completed, this massive infrastructure project will irrigate 32,000 hectares of land, directly benefiting 50,000 farmers by ensuring maximum crop yield with minimal water usage.
The 6 Core Agricultural Resolutions
The Balram Krishi Mahotsav is binding farmers to six core resolutions to ensure sustainable growth:
- Promoting natural and organic farming.
- Ensuring water conservation and achieving the “water for every farm” goal.
- Expanding agricultural mechanization and modern technology.
- Driving crop diversification and value addition.
- Promoting Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and agricultural entrepreneurship.
- Ensuring 100% saturation and delivery of government welfare schemes to farmers.
