'Kavach Yojana' to Resolve Long-Pending Cooperative Credit Issues; Chief Minister Says Farmer Welfare Remains the State's Highest Priority

Bhopal, 05 August (H.S.): Reaffirming the Madhya Pradesh Government's commitment to strengthening the agricultural economy, Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav on Wednesday said that the State Government has ensured comprehensive support for farmers, from providing essential agricultural inputs in the fields to transferring financial assistance directly into their bank accounts.

He described agriculture as the backbone of the state's economy and said every policy introduced by the government is aimed at improving farmers' income, reducing financial distress and making agriculture more sustainable and profitable.

Virtually addressing the 11th edition of the 'Balram Krishi Mahotsav' organised in Narmadapuram from the Ministry in Bhopal, Dr Yadav said that Krishak Kalyan Varsh (Farmer Welfare Year) is being observed with the objective of ensuring that every farmer benefits from welfare schemes launched under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

He said the government has consistently focused on strengthening every stage of the agricultural value chain by ensuring the availability of irrigation facilities, uninterrupted electricity, fertilisers, certified seeds and modern farm machinery. Alongside these measures, financial benefits such as crop insurance claims, PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi instalments and interest-free agricultural loans are being transferred directly into farmers' bank accounts, making the delivery of benefits transparent and efficient.

'Kavach Yojana' to Bring Farmers Back into the Credit System

Highlighting a major policy decision taken by the State Cabinet, Dr Yadav announced that the recently approved 'Kavach Yojana' would address one of the most persistent challenges faced by farmers associated with cooperative credit institutions.

He explained that many farmers had been unable to obtain fresh crop loans or access various government welfare schemes because of long-pending irregularities, technical discrepancies or delayed verification of their cooperative accounts.

Under the new scheme, such farmers will be provided an opportunity to regularise their accounts and re-enter the formal agricultural credit system. This will enable them to secure fresh crop loans and receive the full range of government benefits without prolonged administrative hurdles.

The Chief Minister described the initiative as a landmark reform that would provide long-awaited relief to thousands of farmers while improving the efficiency and credibility of the cooperative banking system.

'Balram Krishi Mahotsav' Strengthens Dialogue Between Government and Farmers

Calling the Balram Krishi Mahotsav a celebration of dialogue between the government and the farming community, Dr Yadav said the event provides an important platform for understanding farmers' concerns and responding to them through practical policy interventions.

He informed that similar programmes had already been organised across 20 districts, with the event in Narmadapuram representing the 11th edition of the initiative.

The government stands shoulder to shoulder with farmers—from sowing seeds in the field to ensuring they receive remunerative prices for their produce in the market, he said.

Record Wheat Procurement and Expansion of Bhavantar Yojana

The Chief Minister highlighted several initiatives undertaken to improve farmers' incomes and strengthen agricultural marketing.

He said the government had successfully addressed the concerns of wheat growers by procuring a record 10.4 million metric tonnes of wheat at the Minimum Support Price (MSP), along with an additional bonus.

Similarly, soybean growers had benefited under the Bhavantar Yojana, and the scheme has now been extended to include mustard and paddy, enabling more farmers to receive compensation when market prices fall below expected levels.

Dr Yadav also pointed out that, for the first time, kodo and kutki (Shri Anna/millets) had been procured at MSP, with eligible farmers also receiving a bonus. The initiative reflects the government's increasing emphasis on promoting nutritious and climate-resilient millets while ensuring better returns to cultivators.

Responding to demands from the farming community, the government has also increased the procurement limit for eligible mung growers from 25 per cent to 60 per cent of their produce, allowing significantly greater quantities to be sold under government procurement.

Diversification Beyond Traditional Farming

The Chief Minister urged farmers to diversify agricultural activities in order to create additional and sustainable sources of income.

He said sectors such as animal husbandry, dairy farming and fisheries have emerged as important contributors to rural prosperity, and the government is providing every possible assistance to encourage their expansion.

He reiterated the state's ambitious target of increasing Madhya Pradesh's contribution to India's total milk production to 20 per cent, adding that milk cooperatives have already been established to strengthen dairy infrastructure and improve market access for producers.

According to Dr Yadav, diversification will make agriculture more resilient while protecting farmers against fluctuations in crop prices and adverse weather conditions.

Support for Horticulture, Modern Farming and Food Processing

The Chief Minister said the government has undertaken several reforms to simplify cooperative account management by replacing the earlier six-month settlement cycle with an annual settlement system. In addition, the mandatory 31 March deadline for settling cooperative loan accounts has been abolished, allowing farmers greater financial flexibility by enabling repayments whenever their financial position permits.

Dr Yadav also emphasised the government's efforts to expand irrigation infrastructure while promoting modern farming techniques, natural farming practices and mechanised agriculture.

Referring specifically to Narmadapuram district, he observed that the region possesses enormous potential for horticulture, particularly in the cultivation of mangoes, guavas, oranges, pomegranates, lemons and bananas.

To encourage diversification, the government is providing subsidies for the establishment of orchards and nurseries while promoting investment in polyhouses and shade-net houses to support high-value horticultural production.

Women's Self-Help Groups are also being encouraged through the 'Ek Bagiya Maa Ke Naam' initiative, while entrepreneurs establishing food-processing units are eligible for 50 per cent capital subsidy, thereby strengthening value addition and rural employment.

Narmadapuram Emerging as an Industrial and Agricultural Hub

Describing Narmadapuram as the 'Silk City', Dr Yadav said the district has earned national recognition for its premium-quality silk, Sharbati wheat and Basmati rice, which have become symbols of the region's agricultural excellence.

He further noted that the Babai-Mohasa Industrial Area is rapidly developing into one of Madhya Pradesh's fastest-growing industrial centres.

The Chief Minister also announced plans to develop a Logistics Park near Katni, aimed at improving transport connectivity and strengthening supply chains for agricultural and industrial products across the state.

He added that the government had resolved several long-pending public issues affecting residents of Pipariya and Pachmarhi, reflecting its commitment to balanced regional development.

Farmer Welfare to Remain the Government's Central Priority

Concluding his address, Dr Yadav reiterated that the entire Krishak Kalyan Varsh has been dedicated to improving farmers' welfare and ensuring sustainable agricultural growth.

He said the State Government remains committed to empowering farmers through better infrastructure, easier access to institutional credit, expanded irrigation facilities, technological innovation, diversified income opportunities and transparent welfare delivery.

The prosperity of Madhya Pradesh is inseparable from the prosperity of its farmers, the Chief Minister said, adding that the government would continue introducing reforms that strengthen agriculture, enhance rural livelihoods and improve the quality of life in farming communities across the state.

MLA Vijaypal Singh of Sohagpur and several other public representatives were present during the virtual programme.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Mayank Chaturvedi