INDORE | SUNDAY | JANUARY 11, 2026 | Regd. No. Indore MP/ICD 216/2024-2026 | RNI No. 38281/83 FREE www.freepressjournal.in ESTD-1983 iii QUALITY @ VALUE EDITIONS: INDORE UJJAIN PRESS PUNE BHOPAL NASHIK MUMBAI E-paper 2026 : DAWN OF NEW ERA FOR STATE FARMERS CM Dr Mohan Yadav leads agriculture’s Kaya Kalp Focus on farmer income, irrigation, renewable energy, markets, innovation, welfare and sustainable agricultural growth Madhya Pradesh is progressing rapidly in the field of agriculture. Happy farmers and advanced agriculture are the identity of Madhya Pradesh Focus is on sustainability and climate resilience – Dr. Mohan Yadav, Chief Minister M adhya Pradesh has taken a decisive policy step by declaring 2026 as an agriculturecentric year, placing farmers and farming at the heart of the state’s development agenda. Under the leadership of Dr Mohan Yadav, the state government has articulated a comprehensive vision titled “Prosperous Farmer, Prosperous State”. The initiative aims to move beyond conventional agriculture support by integrating technology, renewable energy, irrigation expansion, market reforms, value addition and institutional coordination. With clearly defined multi-year targets, Agriculture Year 2026 seeks to ensure income security for farmers, generate large-scale rural employment, strengthen food systems and position Madhya Pradesh as a nationally and globally competitive agricultural state. A griculture Year 2026 places strong emphasis on sustainability and climate resilience. Recognising the growing impact of climate variability, the state will promote climate-adaptive crop planning, efficient water use, and soil health management. Special initiatives will support sustainable agriculture, natural farming and organic cultivation. Millets (Shri Anna) will receive focused encouragement due to their nutritional value, climate resilience and market potential. Biodiversity conservation and preservation of traditional agricultural knowledge systems will be integrated into extension services and research programmes. Demonstrations, field trials, national seminars, trade fairs and buyer-seller meets will be organised to connect farmers with researchers, innovators and markets, ensuring that scientific advancements translate into on-ground benefits. Under the leadership of CM Dr Mohan Yadav, agriculture is set for structural transformation Proud National Achievements v 1st in Pulses Production Nationally v 2nd in Food Grain Production Nationally v 2nd in Oilseeds Production Nationally Madhya Pradesh’s decision to observe 2026 as Agriculture Year stems from the recognition that agriculture remains the backbone of the state’s economy and rural livelihood system. With diverse agro-climatic zones, improving irrigation networks and expanding road and logistics infrastructure, the state is uniquely positioned to achieve higher productivity and value addition across crops and allied sectors. All activities initiated during Agriculture Year 2026 will be implemented with a three-year planning horizon, ensuring that short-term actions translate into sustainable long-term outcomes. The focus is not limited to crop production alone but extends to horticulture, animal husbandry, dairy, fisheries, food processing, agri-enterprises and cooperative institutions. The objective is to transform agriculture into a profitable, technology-driven, employment-generating ecosystem that benefits farmers, rural youth and agri-entrepreneurs alike. Research, innovation and digital transformation R From fields to jobs: Push to raise farmer incomes A t the core of Agriculture Year 2026 is the commitment to increase farmer income and create new employment opportunities in rural areas. The state government has prioritised agricultural mechanisation to reduce drudgery and improve efficiency, alongside large-scale capacity-building initiatives. Farmers will benefit from structured training programmes, Exposure to best practices: National & international learning T o accelerate adoption of advanced practices, farmers will be exposed to successful innovations implemented in other Indian states. Study tours and knowledge exchange programmes will showcase best practices in crop diversification, water management, agri-processing and cooperative models. International exposure visits are planned to agriculturally advanced countries such as Israel and Brazil, known for innovations in irrigation, protected cultivation and agri-technology. These interactions are expected to broaden farmer perspectives and inspire adoption of globally proven techniques suited to local conditions. F Floriculture, crop diversification and allied activities loriculture has been identified as a high-potential sector under Agriculture Year 2026. The Rose Festival in Bhopal will be expanded into a comprehensive flower festival, showcasing diverse floral varieties produced across the state. Floriculture will be promoted in all districts to enhance farmer income and create niche markets. Keeping Simhastha 2028 in view, flower cultivation is being specially promoted over approximately 100 acres in Ujjain district, alongside preparations for the proposed International Rose Competition to be hosted in Bhopal. Crop diversification efforts will also extend to fruits, vegetables, spices, cotton, chilli, sugarcane and aquatic crops like singhada and makhana. Integrated approaches will link crop production with dairy, fisheries and poultry to stabilise income and reduce risk. FPOs will also be linked with dairy production activities, and agri-cooperative and agri-startups will receive targeted encouragement. exposure visits and skill development workshops aimed at improving farm management practices and adoption of modern technologies. Custom Hiring Centres will be expanded to provide affordable access to farm machinery, especially for small and marginal farmers. Food processing units, horticulture clusters and Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) will be promoted to strengthen collective bargaining, enable value Irrigation expansion and river-linking initiatives Coordinated governance and institutional convergence A chieving the goals of Agriculture Year 2026 requires strong interdepartmental coordination. Departments responsible for farmer welfare, cooperation, animal husbandry, dairy, rural development, energy, renewable energy, fisheries, irrigation and food processing will work in close convergence. This coordinated governance model is intended to eliminate silos, optimise resource utilisation and ensure that farmers receive integrated services rather than fragmented interventions. I rrigation development is a key enabler of agricultural growth. Over the past two years, Madhya Pradesh has added more than 7.31 lakh hectares of irrigation capacity. Further expansion is planned, with a long-term target of reaching 100 lakh hectares. Major inter-state river-linking projects, including Parvati–Kalisindh–Chambal and Ken–Betwa, have received central approval and funding. These projects will benefit farmers across multiple districts by ensuring reliable water availability. Intra-state river-linking surveys and projects are also underway to improve water management, mitigate floods, and ensure equitable distribution of water resources. CM Mohan Yadav launches Clean Water Campaign aligned with Agriculture Year 2026 addition and improve market access. Affordable institutional credit, including low-interest loans, will be facilitated to ensure that financial constraints do not hinder farm investment and enterprise development. In addition, crop residue (parali) management will be promoted through awareness, technology support and coordinated action to address environmental concerns while supporting sustainable farming practices. esearch and innovation are central pillars of Agriculture Year 2026. The government aims to strengthen agricultural research institutions and promote innovation in crop science, horticulture, fisheries, livestock management and post-harvest technologies. Digital agriculture will be scaled up through Agri-Tech platforms, precision farming tools, drone-based services, digital soil health cards and real-time market information systems. These interventions will help farmers make timely, data-driven decisions, reduce input costs and optimise yields. By ensuring national and global visibility of Madhya Pradesh’s agricultural products, the state seeks to integrate local producers into wider value chains and export markets. C A detailed month-wise calendar has been prepared, ensuring continuous engagement with farmers and stakeholders throughout 2026. Activities include: n State-level farmer conferences on skill development and mechanisation n Soybean price support programmes and expansion of the Bhavantar scheme n Millet fairs, food festivals, agri-tech and digital agriculture exhibitions n Food processing industry summits in multiple regions n National symposiums on natural farming and sustainability n Dairy, fisheries and animal husbandry conferences n Crop-specific festivals for paddy, mango, soybean, cotton, chilli, vegetables and sugarcane n FPO conferences, cooperative conventions and quality infrastructure inaugurations This calendar aligns agricultural activities with regional crop cycles and sectoral priorities. hief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav has launched a statewide Clean Water Campaign across rural and urban areas to ensure safe drinking water through comprehensive testing and system strengthening. Implemented in two phases from January 10 to May 31, 2026, the campaign will cover surface and groundwater sources, treatment plants, storage tanks and distribution networks in all wards. The initiative focuses on identifying leakages, contamination points and preventing water-borne diseases through timely corrective action. Advanced technologies such as SCADA monitoring, Farmer welfare and risk mitigation strengthened F armer welfare remains central to the Agriculture Year agenda. The state has distributed nearly Rs 3,000 crore as compensation for crop losses due to natural disasters. Under the Bhavantar scheme, around Rs 1,300 crore has been paid to over 6.25 lakh soybean farmers, providing price stability and income security. Additionally, a bonus of Rs 175 per quintal is being provided to farmers on wheat procurement. Additional support measures include crop insurance schemes, PM-Kisan benefits and state-specific farmer welfare programmes. Together, these initiatives aim to protect farmers from market volatility and climate-related risks. IoT sensors, GIS-based pipeline mapping and regular tank cleaning will be adopted, along with water hearings for speedy grievance redressal. Citizens will be encouraged to participate in monitoring water quality and reporting issues. Improved water quality will directly support public health, livestock well-being and agricultural sustainability, reinforcing the integrated vision of Agriculture Year 2026. The initiative reflects Madhya Pradesh s long-term, outcome-oriented approach to building a resilient, prosperous and self-reliant rural economy while addressing climate-related risks. Five pillars define Agriculture Year 2026 roadmap 1. 2026 declared Agriculture-Centric Year with integrated, three-year outcome-based planning. 2. Farmer income and rural employment prioritised through mechanisation, processing, FPOs, and skills. 3. Renewable energy and irrigation expansion to ensure water security and make farmers energy providers. 4. Market modernisation and digital integration via e-NAM, agri-tech and national market access. 5. Strong welfare and sustainability focus through compensation schemes, research, innovation, and climate-resilient farming. D-16140