Bhopal, March 2 – The Madhya Pradesh Cabinet has approved 16 schemes across six key departments dedicated to farmers' welfare at a special cabinet meeting held in Nangalwadi in the Barwani district. Altogether, the state will invest ₹27,746 crore in these initiatives.
The approved schemes include one from the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, three from the Department of Horticulture and Food Processing, four from the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairy Development, two from the Department of Fishermen Welfare and Fisheries, four from the Department of Cooperation, and two from the Department of Narmada Valley Development.
Among the major projects cleared is the Barla Lift Micro Irrigation Project under the Department of Narmada Valley Development, with an estimated cost of ₹861 crore. The project is expected to provide irrigation facilities to around 15,500 hectares of farmland across 33 villages in the tehsil.
According to an official statement, the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare will utilize ₹3,502.48 crore for its approved scheme. The three schemes under the Department of Horticulture and Food Processing will involve an expenditure of ₹4,263.94 crore. Four schemes under the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairy Development have been allocated ₹9,508 crore.
The two schemes of the Department of Fishermen Welfare and Fisheries will receive ₹218.50 crore. The Department of Finance will provide ₹8,186 crore for the four schemes under the Department of Cooperation. The Department of Narmada Valley Development will spend ₹2,067.97 crore on its two approved schemes.
Reiterating the government’s commitment to the farming community, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said that bringing prosperity to farmers would enable the state to move forward on the path of development and progress.
“Plans are also underway to develop Barwani as a tourist destination, and several similar projects are expected to be approved in the near future,” the Chief Minister said.
In Barwani, the Khetia Agricultural Produce Market will be upgraded into an ideal produce market at an estimated cost of ₹10 crore.
The Chief Minister said that Madhya Pradesh continues to be widely recognized across the country for promoting natural farming. In this direction, 25 farmers from Barwani district are currently undergoing training to serve as master trainers in natural farming methods.
Additionally, these 25 farmers will be sent outside the state for advanced training so that they can return fully equipped to act as master trainers and help expand natural farming practices across the region, the statement added.