MP Declares 2026 as Year of Agriculture, CM Mohan Yadav Unveils Statewide Action Plan

CM Mohan Yadav has announced that the year 2026 will be celebrated as the Year of Agriculture in the state. The state has diverse climatic zones, adequate irrigation facilities, and a good road network. Leveraging these advantages, the goal of "Prosperous Farmers, Prosperous State" should be achieved by implementing activities that increase farmers' income and generate employment in the agricultural sector. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav expressed these views during a review of the action plans prepared by the departments related to agriculture and allied subjects for the upcoming Year of Agriculture at Samatva Bhawan (Chief Minister's residence).

CM Mohan Yadav: Increasing farmers' income and generating employment should be the priority

CM Mohan Yadav said that all activities initiated during the Year of Agriculture 2026 should be undertaken with a three-year target. To increase farmers' income and generate employment, priority should be given to agricultural mechanization, training and exposure programs for farmers' capacity building, the establishment of food processing units, horticulture expansion, and the formation of FPOs (Farmer-Producer Organizations).

In addition, efforts should be made to ensure the availability of loans at affordable interest rates, promote micro-irrigation, improve market networks, ensure fair prices for farmers' produce, and encourage farmers to adopt allied activities such as animal husbandry and fisheries. CM Mohan Yadav directed that special efforts be made to promote climate-resilient agricultural management, sustainable agriculture, grain production, biodiversity conservation, and traditional agricultural knowledge, as well as natural and organic farming. CM Mohan Yadav said that research, innovation, and digital systems should be ensured in the agricultural sector to ensure a national and global presence.

Farmers should be taken on exposure visits to advanced states and countries in the field of agriculture

CM Mohan Yadav said that farmers should be made aware of successful innovations in agriculture and allied sectors in other states. Farmers should also be taken on exposure visits to advanced states and innovative countries in the field of agriculture such as Israel and Brazil. To achieve the goal of prosperous farmers and a prosperous state, the departments of Farmer Welfare, Cooperatives, Animal Husbandry and Dairy, Panchayats and Rural Development, Revenue, Horticulture and Food Processing, Energy, New and Renewable Energy, Fishermen Welfare and Fisheries Development, and Irrigation must work in coordination.

Promote floriculture in all districts of the state

CM Mohan Yadav said that the Rose Festival held in Bhopal should be organized as a Flower Festival. Other flowers grown in different districts of the state should also be included, and floriculture should be promoted in all districts. It was informed in the meeting that there is a proposal to host the "International Rose Competition" in Bhopal in 2028. It was also informed that in view of Simhastha 2028, floriculture is being specifically promoted on 100 acres in the Ujjain district. CM Mohan Yadav said that all possible efforts should be made for stubble management in the state.

CM Mohan Yadav also said that FPOs should be linked to milk production activities. The need to promote cooperative start-ups in the agriculture sector was also emphasized in the meeting. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav chaired the meeting and provided information about the proposed programs to be held in the state under the 2026 agricultural year.

January 2026

• State-level farmers' conference for agriculture-based skill development and custom hiring centers in Narmadapuram.
• Bhavantar Yojana expansion program in Mandsaur to complete soybean price difference payments and include groundnut and mustard along with soybean in the scheme.
• Organization of Rose Festival in Bhopal - flower growers, exporters, and experts will participate.

February 2026

• Organization of Millet Fair, Road Show, Food Festival, Buyer-Seller Meet, Seminars and Workshops in Dindori/Umaria/Mandla as part of the Kodo-Kutki bonus distribution program.
• Organization of State-level Agri-tech and Digital Agriculture Exhibition in the Nimad-Malwa region.
• Organization of Rose Festival in Ujjain. A Food Processing Industry Summit was organized in Bhopal.
• Gwalior Agricultural University organized an agricultural brainstorming session and an agricultural fair to discuss new possibilities in agriculture, horticulture, fisheries, livestock, and other agriculture-related fields.
• A state-level cooperative conference was held in Ujjain

March 2026

• National seminar on natural farming in Bhopal, along with a state-level trade fair and buyer-seller meet.
• Exhibitions and seminars on natural farming will also be held at the divisional level. Dairy farmers' conference in Gwalior.
• Dairy farmers' conferences will also be held at each milk union level. Animal husbandry program in Indore.

April 2026

• Food Processing Industry Conclave in Jabalpur.
• May 2026 Paddy Festival and State-Level Farmers' Conference in Seoni.
• Poultry Farmers and Entrepreneurs' Conference in Indore/Jabalpur.
• Food Processing Industry Conclave in Indore.

June 2026

• State-Level Mango Festival in Bhopal. State-Level AgriculturalProducts Export Promotion Workshop in Ujjain.
• State-Level Soybean Festival and Farmers' Conference in Sagar.
• Divisional programs will also be held in Indore, Ujjain, and Vidisha.
• A proposed trip of livestock farmers/government representatives to Brazil to learn about improved animal husbandry practices.
• District-level Mango Festival in Alirajpur.
• State-level Water Chestnut and Makhana Festival in Jabalpur.

July 2026

• Cotton and Chilli Festival and Farmers' Conference in Khargone, Barwani, Dhar, Alirajpur, Khandwa, Pandhurna, and the Malwa region.
• State-level Farmers' Conference on Agriculture-Based Skill Development and Custom Hiring in Narmadapuram.
• Program on Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture at the College of Fisheries, Jabalpur.
• District-level Mango Festival in Betul. Water Chestnut and Makhana Festival in Narmadapuram.

August 2026

• State-level FPO (Farmer Producer Organization) Conference in Indore.
• This will include knowledge sharing, observations, discussions, exhibitions, and expert presentations on new technologies.
• Inauguration of the State-level Central Quality Laboratory in Bhopal.
• Its objective is to curb adulterated milk and milk products and provide quality products to consumers. "Sanchi Hai To Shudh Hai" campaign under all milk unions in the state.
• Inauguration of a milk production and processing dairy plant in Bhopal at a cost of ₹16 crore.
• September 2026 State-level workshop for beneficiaries of the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund Scheme in Chhindwara.
• FPO conference, skill development workshop, and credit linkage seminar in Sagar and Ratlam. State-level program to honor the state's best field workers and livestock farmers in Ujjain.
• Water Chestnut and Makhana Festival in Balaghat.

October 2026

• Workshop on stubble (crop residue) management in Bhopal.
• Conferences will also be held at the district level. FPO conference in Chhindwara - buyer-seller meet with Mandi Board and private institutions.
• Aquaculture marketing seminar in Indore.
• State-level farmers' conference on agriculture-based skill development and custom hiring in Narmadapuram.
• State-level vegetable festival in Indore.
• Programs will also be organized at the district level.
• State-level cooperative conference in Jabalpur.
• The conference will focus on expanding digital services.

November 2026

• State-level sugarcane festival in Narsinghpur.
• District-level vegetable festival in Rajgarh. State-level cooperative conference in Bhopal.
• The goal will be digital inclusion and increasing farmer membership.
• Programs will also be organized at the district level.

Modernization of markets will improve quality

The meeting emphasized that work will also be done to modernize the markets. The target is to develop 20 markets as eNAM markets in 2025-26, 19 more in 2026-27, and 42 in 2027-28. It is noteworthy that eNAM, the National Agriculture Market, is an online trading platform for agricultural products in India. The modernization of markets will improve the quality of products due to cleaner, graded, and packaged produce, and will increase the participation of the state's agricultural products in national markets.

This will lead to better and more competitive prices for farmers and increase their income. The meeting also discussed efforts to ensure transparent auctions in the markets, prevent irregularities, organize old market yards, prevent potential losses due to encroachment, and increase efficiency through innovation. Under the Government of India's Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) scheme, work will also be done in the state for post-harvest management and the creation and development of infrastructure and agricultural assets.

Source: Jaanasampark Vibhaag

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