Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan presented the initial district-level agriculture roadmaps for Sehore, Raisen, Vidisha, and Dewas districts in Madhya Pradesh. These roadmaps, introduced during the ‘Unnat Krishi Mahotsav’ in Raisen, aim to enhance farming profitability, promote sustainable practices, and ensure efficient resource utilization. The event gathered farmers, scientists, officials, and agricultural companies to discuss these strategies.
Chouhan stressed the importance of transitioning from focusing solely on increasing agricultural output to selecting the right crops suitable for local agro-climatic conditions. He encouraged farmers to diversify into activities like animal husbandry, horticulture, beekeeping, and organic farming for improved incomes. The plans for each district prioritize water efficiency, crop diversification, climate-resilient agriculture, and improved market connections.
Emphasizing high-value agriculture opportunities, the minister highlighted crops such as tomato, onion, garlic, capsicum, and fruits like pomegranate. He urged farmers to consider cultivating newer options like dragon fruit and avocado. A significant aspect of the initiative involves establishing ‘seed villages’ at the block level to ensure access to quality seeds, potentially boosting productivity by up to 20% per block.
The program will receive support from central and state government schemes, with technical aid from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research. To address mechanization gaps, Chouhan proposed expanding custom hiring centers and ‘machine banks’ at the panchayat level, facilitating small farmers’ access to modern equipment at reasonable rates. The minister aims to extend this initiative to cover all districts of Madhya Pradesh, integrating central and state schemes for effective grassroots implementation.
