Cabinet nod to ‘Krishak Kalyan Mission’ to unify farm schemes

Bhopal: The state cabinet, chaired by CM Mohan Yadav, on Tuesday cleared the Madhya Pradesh Krishak Kalyan Mission, aimed at consolidating all ongoing agricultural and allied sector schemes under one umbrella for better coordination and farmer outreach.
Departments covered under the mission include agriculture, horticulture, fisheries, animal husbandry, cooperatives, and food and civil supplies.
Urban administration minister Kailash Vijayvargiya, while briefing the media after the cabinet meeting, clarified that neither the Ladli Behna Yojana nor Ladli Laxmi Yojana would be discontinued.
"There is some miscommunication being spread about Ladli Behna Yojana. Both these schemes will continue, and Ladli Behna beneficiaries will be paid between the 10th to the 15th of every month, according to the convenience of the govt," Vijayvargiya said.
He also said, "Madhya Pradesh has made unprecedented progress in the agriculture sector. Agricultural productivity increased from 1,195 kg per hectare in 2002–03 to 2,393 kg per hectare in 2024 — a 200% rise. Crop production rose from 224 lakh tons in 2002–03 to 723 lakh ton in 2024 — a 323% increase. The agricultural growth rate grew from 3% in 2002–03 to 9.8% in 2024 — a 327% rise."
The minister said the budget for the agriculture sector increased from Rs 600 crore in 2002–03 to Rs. 27,050 crore in 2024, marking a growth of 4,508%. Agriculture now contributes 39% to the state's GDP.
A state release claimed, "The Madhya Pradesh Krishak Kalyan Mission aims to increase farmers' income, promote climate-resilient agriculture, adopt sustainable farming practices, preserve biodiversity and traditional agricultural knowledge, ensure nutritional and food security, and ensure fair prices for farm produce."
Key focus areas of this mission are increased productivity of crops under agriculture and horticulture, promotion of high-value crops, access to quality inputs like seeds, planting material, fertilizers, pesticides, agricultural extension and skill development, easy access to low-interest credit, promotion of food processing and agro-based industries, value-chain development and strengthening existing chains, and R&D for region-specific agricultural challenges.
Vijayvargiya said after the signing of an agreement with the National Dairy Development Board, it has been recommended to increase the area under milk production.
"To increase farmers' income, they would have cooperative support for expansion of milk collection coverage through cooperatives to 26,000 villages, increase milk collection and processing capacity to 50 lakh litres per day, reduce stray cattle population via stall feeding and mineral mixture use, promote self-employment in fisheries through technologies like cage farming and provide zero-interest loans through fishers and farmers credit card scheme," the minister said.
The chief minister will chair the Madhya Pradesh Krishak Kalyan Mission. The chief secretary will chair the executive committee for implementation. At the district level, implementation will be overseen by the district collector.
In another decision, the council of ministers approved Rs 383.22 crore under the Public Health and Medical Education Department for constructing a new hospital affiliated with the Medical College in Satna.
Approval was also given for the creation of 12 new regular posts in the Departments of Pediatric Cardiology, Pediatric Neurology, and Neonatology under the Public Health and Medical Education Department. These include three professors, three associate professors, three assistant professors, and three senior residents.