Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister (CM) Dr Mohan Yadav on Wednesday announced that farmers will now have access to electricity for irrigation during the daytime, as the state government steps up efforts to improve agricultural facilities and support farm incomes.

CM Dr Yadav made the announcement while virtually addressing the ‘Balaram Krishi Mahotsav’ and Kisan Mela organised at the Krishi Upaj Mandi premises in Sheopur. Joining the programme from Gwalior Airport, the Chief Minister also interacted with farmers from the district.

Focus on farmer welfare

CM Dr Yadav said the current year is being observed as Krishak Kalyan Varsh (Farmer Welfare Year) across Madhya Pradesh, with various programmes being organised for the benefit of the farming community.

He said farmers are being provided crop loans at zero per cent interest. The repayment period, which was earlier fixed at six months each for Kharif and Rabi crops, has now been extended to one year. Farmers will therefore have 12 months from the date of taking the loan to repay it.

The Chief Minister also announced ₹60 lakh for the construction of a new rest house for farmers at the Krishi Upaj Mandi in Sheopur.

CM Dr Yadav said the government was also promoting animal husbandry to supplement farmers’ incomes. He called for expanding the network of milk cooperative societies and increasing milk production.

He highlighted Sheopur’s agricultural diversity, saying the district produces bumper quantities of paddy and wheat while farmers are also cultivating millets and other coarse grains.

Meritorious students congratulated

The Chief Minister congratulated students who secured more than 75 per cent marks in Class 12 examinations. He said meritorious students had been provided ₹25,000 each for purchasing laptops the previous day.

CM Dr Yadav urged families to prioritise their children’s education and avoid unnecessary expenditure. He also advocated discouraging excessive spending on weddings and other social functions, encouraging people to opt for mass marriage ceremonies instead. He then extended his greetings to people on the occasion of Janmashtami.

Farmers share experiences

During the interaction, farmer Mukut Chaudhary from Raddep village told the Chief Minister that he had benefited from the government’s agricultural engineering scheme. He said he had purchased a Super Seeder for stubble management and received a subsidy of ₹1.20 lakh.

Farmers attending the festival and Kisan Mela received information from agricultural scientists on modern farming techniques and crop-related practices. Exhibitions by the Animal Husbandry, Agriculture, Horticulture, Fisheries and NRLM departments were also organised.

Progressive farmers, students honoured

Progressive farmers Narendra Chaudhary, Bharat Jat, Shishupal Meena, Sonu Sharma, Banwari Meena, Bhuvanesh Meena, Puran Prajapati, Govind Pateliya and Man Singh Pateliya were honoured with shawls and certificates of appreciation.

Students Ankush Mehar, Bhumika Mahaur, Asha Gurjar, Anmol Meena, Abhay Gurjar, Poonam Jat, Vaishnavi Jat, Dinbandhu Meena, Karan Meena and Mayank Sharma were also felicitated for their outstanding Class 12 results.

District in-charge minister Rakesh Shukla, Agriculture Minister Edal Singh Kansana, Madhya Pradesh State Forest Development Corporation chairman Ramniwas Rawat and Apex Bank chairman Mahendra Singh Yadav, among other public representatives and officials, attended the programme.