CM Yadav Plans to Expand Irrigation to 1 Crore Hectares by 2028

Synopsis

On February 19, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav announced an ambitious plan to enhance the irrigation area in Madhya Pradesh to one crore hectares by 2028. This initiative aims to boost agricultural productivity and support the state's growing farmer community.

Key Takeaways

Target irrigation area expansion to one crore hectares.
Increased agricultural production anticipated.
Focus on timely completion of NVDA projects.
Preparation for Simhastha 2028 events.
Significant growth in irrigated land in the state.

Bhopal, Feb 19 (NationPress) Chief Minister Mohan Yadav announced on Wednesday that the state government aims to expand the irrigation area to one crore hectares by 2028-29, up from the current 50 lakh hectares.

Yadav highlighted that the irrigated land in Madhya Pradesh has seen significant growth over recent years, but further expansion is necessary. Therefore, it is essential that all construction activities are completed within the designated timelines.

The Chief Minister made this statement following a meeting with the Narmada Valley Development Authority (NVDA) at his official residence in Bhopal. Present at the meeting were Deputy Chief Minister Jagdish Devda, Chief Secretary Anurag Jain, and other officials.

During the meeting, Yadav instructed the officials to finalize all ongoing projects linked to the NVDA within the stipulated time to reach the goal of achieving an irrigation area of one crore hectares, which will enhance agricultural production in the state.

The Chief Minister also pointed out that a significant number of devotees are anticipated to visit Omkareshwar during Simhastha 2028, prompting the need for the development of ghats on both sides of the Narmada River in Omkareshwar.

The meeting prioritized the construction of ghats on both banks of the Narmada River at Omkareshwar and Navghat-Kheri in Khandwa district, in addition to the Indira Sagar Omkareshwar Pump Storage Project.

During the discussion, Chief Minister Yadav also assessed the progress of various major construction projects, including the Teria Nala Dam, Saner Dam, the micro irrigation system under the Badadev Joint Micro Irrigation Project, and the Sondwa Micro Lift Irrigation Project, among others.

The irrigation area in Madhya Pradesh has grown substantially in recent years, establishing the state as the second largest wheat producer (after Uttar Pradesh) and a key supplier to government procurement agencies (after Punjab).

The state is also the top producer of soybean, chana (chickpea), tomato, garlic, ginger, dhaniya (coriander), and methi (fenugreek), ranking second in onions (after Maharashtra), mustard (after Rajasthan), and maize (after Karnataka).