The Madhya Pradesh government is stepping up efforts to connect farmers with modern agricultural technology, natural farming practices and government welfare schemes, with Chief Minister (CM) Dr Mohan Yadav personally engaging with cultivators through the state’s Balram Krishi Mahotsav.

Despite his demanding schedule, including official engagements in New Delhi and administrative responsibilities across Madhya Pradesh, CM Dr Yadav has consistently made time to interact with farmers participating in the district-level agricultural festivals.

Focus on technology, farmer welfare

The Balram Krishi Mahotsav, initiated on CM Dr Yadav’s directions, aims to provide farmers with practical knowledge of advanced farming techniques, agricultural mechanisation and sustainable cultivation methods. Farmers are also being introduced to market-oriented agricultural models and encouraged to adopt technologies that can improve productivity and income.

The Chief Minister recently interacted virtually with farmers from Shivpuri while in New Delhi. Earlier, he had participated virtually in similar events held in Ashoknagar, Guna, Vidisha, Raisen, Bhopal, Rajgarh, Sehore, Narmadapuram, Betul, Harda, Burhanpur, Ujjain and Khargone. He personally attended the festival in tribal-dominated Alirajpur.

The government has arranged demonstrations of advanced agricultural technologies and direct interactions between farmers and subject experts at district-level events. Farmers are being familiarised with digital agricultural services, weather-based farming, soil health management, drone technology, smart irrigation, modern farm machinery and advanced farm management systems.

Experts are also advising cultivators on new farming methods suited to changing climatic conditions, along with measures to manage agricultural risks.

Push for digital farmer ID

CM Dr Yadav has also been encouraging farmers to create their Farmer IDs, an important component of the Digital Agriculture Mission launched by Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi.

The Farmer ID is intended to function as a reliable digital identity for cultivators, linking information such as land records, livestock ownership, crops sown and benefits received under various government schemes.

The initiative is aimed at making agricultural services more accessible while helping the government maintain a comprehensive digital record of farmers and their farming activities.

Natural farming gets fresh emphasis

The Chief Minister has also been advocating natural farming, particularly amid concerns over the excessive use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides.

According to the government, natural farming can help preserve soil, water and the environment while reducing cultivation costs. It can improve the soil’s water-retention capacity and enable satisfactory crop production with less irrigation.

The government believes the practice could also help farmers cope with the challenges posed by climate change and reduce dependence on costly chemical inputs. Lower input costs, in turn, can improve farmers’ net income, with small and marginal cultivators expected to benefit significantly.

CM Dr Yadav has described farmers as the backbone of the country’s food and economic security. He has also drawn a parallel between soldiers guarding the nation’s borders and farmers working in the fields, saying both remain dedicated to the country.

Madhya Pradesh is observing the entire year as Farmer Welfare Year, with the state government maintaining that improving farmers’ incomes, living standards and overall well-being remains a key priority.