Jabalpur, Aug 1 (IANS) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Saturday announced that farmers in the state will be provided electricity for irrigation during the daytime after the current monsoon season, saying the move is aimed at improving agricultural productivity and easing dependence on night-time power supply.
Addressing the Balram Krishi Mahotsav in Harda district virtually from Jabalpur, Yadav said the government was working to modernise agriculture while creating multiple sources of income for farmers through allied sectors.
“After the current monsoon, farmers will receive electricity for irrigation during the daytime in addition to the existing night supply. Agriculture today requires modern technology, and the government is committed to making farming more profitable,” Yadav said.
The Chief Minister said the state has drawn up a coordinated action plan involving 16 departments to promote dairy, fisheries, animal husbandry, horticulture, floriculture and spice cultivation alongside conventional farming.
He urged farmers to adopt soil testing, crop diversification and natural farming, saying traditional methods alone would no longer be sufficient to improve productivity and incomes.
Yadav said the government was also simplifying cooperative farm credit by allowing farmers to pay interest on cooperative loans only once a year. He added that enhanced compensation provisions had been made for land acquired by the government.
Highlighting irrigation expansion in the state, he said the irrigated area has increased from about 7.5 lakh hectares before 2002–03 to 65 lakh hectares at present, with more than 10 lakh hectares added over the last two-and-a-half years.
“The government’s goal is to double farmers’ income. We are encouraging modern agriculture as well as allied activities so that farmers have multiple sources of earnings. We have also set a target of increasing milk production from the present 9 per cent to 20 per cent,” Yadav said.
He reiterated that 2026 is being observed as the “Year of Farmers’ Welfare”, under which Balram Krishi Mahotsavs are being organised across the state to promote scientific farming and new agricultural technologies.
During the programme, progressive farmers and meritorious students were honoured, while agricultural scientists interacted with cultivators on scientific farming practices, balanced fertiliser use and crop protection.
–IANS
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