Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav has positioned 2026 as Kisan Kalyan Varsh, a transformative year to elevate farmers from mere producers to prosperous entrepreneurs through an integrated farm to market value chain. Addressing the Krishi Manthan and Agri Tech Fair 2026 in Gwalior via video conference on February 23, he called on agricultural scientists to forge climate resilient innovations, underscoring farmers as the bedrock of the state’s economy.
Comprehensive Value Chain Development
The cornerstone of this vision is a holistic ecosystem linking fields to factories and orchards to markets, fostering agro processing industries, high yield seed production, livestock rearing, dairy, and fisheries expansion. Dr. Yadav highlighted rapid irrigation augmentation via the National River Linking Project, alongside boosts in medicinal, spice, pulse, and oilseed cultivation. Mustard now joins the Bhawantar compensation scheme for price stability.
An upcoming agri export policy and ramped up research investments aim to make farming a viable business, with modern market linkages ensuring fair returns. This multi pronged approach addresses longstanding pain points, volatile prices, inadequate processing, and climate vulnerabilities. By promoting value addition, the state targets rural employment surges, drawing youth into agri startups and tech driven ventures like drones and organic methods.
Significance of Krishi Manthan
Jointly hosted by Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia Agriculture University Gwalior, ICAR New Delhi, and the MP Agriculture Department, the event under the theme Samriddh Kisan Samriddh Pradesh convenes experts from institutions like Ayodhya and Dharwad agri universities. It serves as a crucible for actionable insights on sustainable practices, digital agriculture, and bio diversity preservation. Vital as agriculture grapples with erratic monsoons and shifting patterns.
Dr. Yadav stressed that outcomes from this manthan will fuel policy refinements, echoing broader 2026 mandates like natural farming drives, micro irrigation under Per Drop More Crop 2.0, and eNAM integration for 81 mandis by 2028 to curb malpractices and enhance transparency.
Budgetary Backing and Broader Reforms
The February 2026 state budget allocates 1.15 lakh crore rupees to agriculture, funding 30 lakh solar pumps, MSP hikes for urad and chana, and Kisan Rath outreach campaigns led by elected representatives. Over 15 departments collaborate on PPP models, CSR leverage, and central scheme alignments, including FPO strengthening and international exposure tours to Israel and Brazil.
Path to Prosperity
These measures signal a paradigm shift from subsistence to commercial agriculture, potentially positioning Madhya Pradesh as India’s agri powerhouse. Success hinges on ground level execution: verifying beneficiaries, curbing leakages, and empowering women led SHG’s/FPO’s. If realized, Kisan Kalyan Varsh could not only double farm incomes but redefine rural India, blending tradition with innovation for enduring prosperity.
Author: This news is edited by: Abhishek Verma, (Editor, CANON TIMES)
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