Bhopal, February 21, 2025: Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav emphasized that the excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides is negatively impacting both the environment and human health. Therefore, promoting organic and natural farming techniques is essential. Under the Government of India’s Natural Farming Development Scheme, organic farming is currently being practiced on 100,000 acres in the state, with a target to expand it to 500,000 hectares in the coming years. To ensure better pricing for farmers, organic farmers’ markets will be set up, and model districts and development blocks will be established for natural farming.
The Chief Minister directed that fairs focusing on organic and natural farming be organized across the state and that solar pumps be provided to farmers practicing organic farming. He inaugurated the State-Level Organic Farming Production and Value Addition Workshop by lighting a ceremonial lamp and also visited an exhibition under the “One District, One Product” initiative.
Madhya Pradesh: A Global Hub for Organic Agricultural Products
Sharing insights from his international visits, Chief Minister Dr. Yadav stated that the world is now looking towards Madhya Pradesh for pollution-free, healthy organic agricultural products. While adopting modern technologies to increase agricultural production is necessary, it is equally important to maintain a balance through environmental conservation and organic farming.
The state government is giving special attention to developing agriculture-based industries, especially in districts with low industrial growth. The Chief Minister also announced that the state’s milk production capacity will be increased from 9% to 20% in the coming years.
Government Initiatives to Boost Farmers’ Income
The state government is making consistent efforts to enhance farmers’ prosperity and income. To support vegetable producers exporting their crops, both the central and state governments are covering transportation costs, and awareness campaigns will be launched to inform farmers about these benefits. The government will also accelerate this initiative with the help of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs).
New Policies to Promote Organic Farming
Agriculture Minister Mr. Edal Singh Kanshana stated that based on discussions in this workshop, a new organic production policy will be formulated, considering the agro-climatic conditions of different districts in the state. The government has signed MoUs with nine service providers to further promote organic farming.
According to APEDA (Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority), 11.48 lakh hectares of farmland in Madhya Pradesh is currently under organic farming. Including forest areas, the total organic farming area in the state extends to 20.55 lakh hectares, making it the largest in the country.
Strict Measures Against Stubble Burning & Farmer Assistance
To curb stubble burning and its environmental impact, strict measures have been implemented by the state government. More than 42,500 agricultural machines have been distributed to help farmers manage crop residues on-site, significantly reducing the practice of stubble burning.
Expert Discussions at the Workshop
The event was attended by Additional Chief Secretary (Horticulture) Mr. Anupam Rajan, Agriculture Secretary Mr. M. Selvendran, and Agriculture Director Mr. Ajay Gupta.
During the two-day workshop, agriculture scientists, organic farming experts, farmer producer organizations, progressive farmers, and agricultural officers will engage in in-depth discussions to formulate a more effective organic farming policy for the state.
Author: This news is edited by: Abhishek Verma, (Editor, CANON TIMES)
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