Madhya Pradesh conferred first prize for agriculture in India

Bhopal. Madhya Pradesh was conferred first prize for achievements in agriculture sector in India Today State of States Conclave in New Delhi today. The prize was received by Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan from Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh.

It is noteworthy that Madhya Pradesh has witnessed 15 percent increase in state’s agriculture production in year 2014-15 and 45 percent increase in area under irrigation during last 5 years. Farmers are being provided interest-free loans in the state. Madhya Pradesh is the first state in the country where farmers return 90 percent of agriculture loans and remaining amount is paid by the state government to concerning banks.

For making agriculture profitable, area under irrigation has been increased side by side adequate power supply to farmers. For the first time in history, farmers are being supplied power for about 10 hours a day. Availability of new transformers, planned process to replace dysfunctional transformers, simplification of process to give temporary connections and reduction in its charge have proved to be significant steps of the state government. Farmers have been given facility to pay electricity bills only twice a year. On permanent connections of farmers, the state government is given subsidy of Rs. 31 thousand per connection.

Along with agriculture, considerable increase has also been made in horticulture area. This has reduced burden on traditional farming. Promotion to production of fruits, flower, spices and medicinal plant crops is one of the factors of this achievement.

While addressing the conclave after receiving the prize, the Chief Minister Shri Chouhan said that Madhya Pradesh is on the path of leaving Punjab behind in food grains production in future. He informed that the state has done so in wheat production.

Shri Chouhan gave credit to farmers’ hard work for state’s constant progress in agriculture sector. The state has maintained maximum growth rate in the country for last 4 years and is receiving Central government’s prestigious Krishi Karman Award for consecutive last 3 years.

Madhya Pradesh is pioneer in oilseed production in the country and second in food grains production. The state stands first in production of soybean and gram and second in masoor and mustered. The state has made very fast progress in food grains production. Two-fold increase has been registered in production of maize, three-fold in wheat and four-fold in production of paddy in the state.

Area under irrigation through canals has been increased from 7.50 lakh hectares to 36 lakh hectares during last 10 years. Remarkable increase has been made in summer crop area along with unprecedented increase in productivity.

Rs. 5500 crore annual subsidy is given by the state government so that farmers can obtain power at lower tariff. Due to state government’s efforts availability of chemical fertilizers has increased by 30 percent. Madhya Pradesh produced maximum certified seeds since priority has been given to this sector in the state. Rain-fed agriculture area in the state has decreased to one-fourth during last 10 years.

The Chief Minister gave credit to farmers’ hard work for state’s agriculture development and expressed gratitude towards India Today group and jury for this award.