Synopsis
On April 15, the Madhya Pradesh government introduced the 'Annadata Kalyan Mission', aligning with Prime Minister Modi’s vision for the welfare of farmers and other groups. The initiative aims to enhance farmers' income through diverse activities and comprehensive policy support, fostering sustainable agriculture and improving livelihoods.Key Takeaways
- Madhya Pradesh's 'Annadata Kalyan Mission' aims to boost farmers' income.
- Policy support includes diversification beyond traditional agriculture.
- Focus on sustainable practices and organic farming.
- Financial assistance through affordable loans for farmers.
- Integration of various departments to support agricultural growth.
Bhopal, April 15 (NationPress) In line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for Gareeb, Yuva, Annadata, and Nari (Poor, Youth, Farmer, and Woman), the Madhya Pradesh government unveiled the ‘Annadata Kalyan Mission’ (Farmers’ welfare mission) in a “Policy frame” on Tuesday.
The state cabinet, convened under the leadership of Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, has sanctioned the policy.
The government aims to implement a detailed policy designed to enhance farmers’ income through various activities that extend beyond conventional agriculture.
“The policy is crafted to increase farmers' revenues through ancillary sectors, adopting a comprehensive strategy for their advancement and prosperity. Agricultural productivity has significantly improved over the years, with yields per hectare escalating from 1,195 kg in 2003 to 2,393 kg in 2024 -- an impressive rise of nearly 200 percent,” stated Kailash Vijayvargiya, the State Urban Development Minister.
The mission aims to transform farmers into innovative entrepreneurs, encouraging methods like organic farming to elevate productivity while protecting environmental integrity, as per the minister.
Support will be provided to farmers cultivating lucrative horticultural crops, ensuring they receive better market prices. Initiatives from the horticulture, veterinary, and fisheries departments will be unified to offer comprehensive assistance to the agricultural community, he added.
“We have already established policies for the impoverished, youth, and women under mission mode, as envisioned in the Prime Minister’s GYAN concept. The Annadata initiative will also function in mission mode,” he mentioned.
Underscoring the government’s dedication to farmers, the minister highlighted that the agricultural budget has seen a dramatic increase -- from Rs 600 crore during the previous administration to Rs 27,000 crore in the current regime. Additionally, the Nadi Jodo Abhiyan (river linking project) has allocated Rs 1,00,000 crore to improve irrigation infrastructure, with plans to increase irrigated areas throughout the state. Agriculture now represents 39 percent of the state’s GDP, he added.
“A high-level committee has been formed under Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, while another will be established under the Chief Secretary’s direction. Similar committees will be set up at the district level to ensure efficient execution,” the Minister elaborated.
Highlighting the remarkable growth in the agricultural sector, the Minister noted that the growth rate has jumped from 3 percent in 2003 to the present 9.1 percent, reflecting an astounding increase of over 327 percent.
This success is credited to continuous increases in the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for agricultural products and the implementation of various welfare programs designed to support the farming community.
Recognizing the challenges from climate change, the Minister stressed the importance of adapting agricultural practices accordingly. “Sustainable farming and biodiversity are being prioritized to ensure resilience and enduring productivity,” he said.
To encourage widespread millet farming, the government has initiated schemes focused on Shree Anna.
Sharing a success story from Rourkela, the Minister noted, “Upon visiting the town, I observed women elegantly dressed and adorned with gold jewelry -- a testament to the success of Shree Anna cultivation, significantly boosting their family incomes,” Vijayvargiya remarked.
“They are now selling millet at Rs 60 per kg, compared to the previous Rs 1-2 per kg, showcasing the transformative effect of this initiative. Ensuring fair prices for farmers' produce is a priority,” he stated.
The Farmers Welfare Department of Madhya Pradesh and the Horticulture Cooperative Department will work together to promote farmer development.
Complementary initiatives such as improvements in public health and medical education are being implemented to support rural communities.
Altogether, these policies aim to revolutionize the agricultural landscape, enabling farmers to attain sustainable and profitable livelihoods.
Financial support under the mission is structured to ease farmers’ financial pressures by providing affordable loans tailored to their requirements, the Minister concluded.
