Madhya Pradesh continues to advance in the agriculture sector

happy with the appointment

Process to fill posts in agriculture department continues

Chief Minister Shri Chouhan will give appointment letters to 253 agriculture officers
Agriculture Minister Mr. Patel will be present
Bhopal:MMNN: 24 April 2023

Bhopal : Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan will provide appointment letters to agriculture officers on April 25. Farmers-Welfare and Agriculture Development Minister Kamal Patel informed that appointment letters will be given to 243 Rural Agriculture Extension Officers and 10 Senior Agriculture Development Officers on April 25 at 10:20 am at Chief Minister's residence office. He informed that appointments are being made continuously at various levels in the Agriculture Department as per the rules.

Horticulture commissioner inspected hi-tech bitter gourd farming in tribal area
Bhopal:MMNN: 24 April 2023

Bhopal : Horticulture Commissioner, Government of India, Dr. Prabhat Kumar inspected hi-tech bitter gourd cultivation being done by Baigas in tribal areas of Balaghat district. After inspection, Commissioner Dr. Prabhat Kumar praised it. The commissioner reached village Basinkhar Baiga Tola of tribal-dominated Birsa development block and saw bitter gourd farming. He was influenced by agriculture. He advised the villagers to grow other vegetables. The commissioner said that there is a lot of potential for cashew production in Balaghat district. Tribal farmers should take advantage of this. He advised to plant cashew saplings on the vacant land. He also inspected cashew plantation in village Gowari Bhimlat and village Birsa. During the tour, the Commissioner was accompanied by the Additional Commissioner of the National Cashew Board, Dr. Naveen Kumar Patle was also present. He Dr. Chief Scientist of Krishi Vigyan Kendra Badgaon . RL Discussed with Raut and officials of Agriculture and Horticulture Department regarding the expansion of horticulture farming.

Three years of government, unmatched in agriculture sector
Bhopal:MMNN: 23 April 2023

Bhopal : India's pride is being sung globally under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. In the empowerment of the country, Madhya Pradesh has also started realizing the dream of a strong India with full force. For the last three years, under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, continuous efforts were made for the economic empowerment of the farmers of the state. Farmers have got an additional benefit of thousands of crores only by the decision to procure gram, lentils and mustard on support price along with wheat. The state has also set a record of receiving awards by doing excellent work in the field of agriculture. Irrigated by the hard work of the farmers, our state is setting new records everyday. The government is working on the target of providing maximum support price (MRP) of crops to the farmers. In order to benefit the farmers from April 2020, the present government has taken an unprecedented decision to procure gram, lentil and mustard at support price before wheat, earlier they were procured after wheat. Due to the decision of the government, the farmers directly got an additional benefit of Rs. 1 to 2 thousand per quintal of their produce. Now the farmers are not forced to sell gram, lentil and mustard crops at throwaway prices. Traders had to buy gram, lentils and mustard produce for their industries at more than the support price, farmers directly benefited from this. Gram, lentils, For the last three years, an additional income of more than Rs 10,000 crore is being generated from the sale of mustard and summer moong. This year, summer moong will be purchased at the support price of Rs 7755 per quintal. This will give more additional income to the farmers. Earlier the farmer was forced to sell moong at a low price, not now. Farmer is a strong link of the Indian economy. We are doing everything possible to empower the farmers by giving them more power. In the interest of the farmers, the state government made efforts up to Delhi and abolished the limit of procurement of 25 quintals of wheat per farmer per day on the support price. Along with this, the daily earning limit of gram, lentils and mustard has been increased from 25 quintals to 40 quintals. The yield of gram was increased from 15 quintals per hectare and mustard from 13 quintals per hectare to 20 quintals per hectare equally. Taking decisions in the interest of the farmers of the state, Union Agriculture Minister Shri Narendra Singh Tomar gave necessary approvals. Due to this, along with economic benefits, the farmers have got freedom from the trouble of taking their produce for sale more than once. Overall efforts were made in the last three years to make the farmers of the state happy and prosperous. The state government is making continuous efforts to make the farmers prosperous for the prosperity of the state, because when the farmer is prosperous, then only the village will be prosperous and if the village is prosperous, then the state will be prosperous. The prosperity of the country lies in the prosperity of the state. Farmer sons are being encouraged to become industrialists along with farming. For this, efforts are being made to provide them all the necessary resources. The government is also committed to provide facilities for grading, sorting and marketing of the produce to the farmers . Farmers should set up industries related to their agricultural produce and get more prices by preparing other products. Madhya Pradesh is celebrating the year 2023, the golden jubilee year of the Mandi Board. In the current financial year, the Mandi Board has earned the maximum income of Rs 1681 crore by doing excellent work. 14 mandis of the state are being made hi-tech. Infrastructural development works are being done in all the 259 mandis of the state as per the requirement. Madhya Pradesh is the only state in the country, which has enabled farmers to sell their agricultural produce anywhere from their homes, barns and godowns at their own cost with an Android based application "MP Farm Gate App". 12 thousand 22 farmers have sold 50 lakh quintals of various agricultural produce by using it.The functioning of the Farm Gate App has also received a lot of appreciation from the Central Government. The government has made all out efforts in these 3 years to benefit the farmers. The government has implemented the e-permission system to make the functioning of mandis more convenient. Now the gate pass can be made by the trader himself for the transportation of agricultural produce. 61 lakh 90 thousand 208 permits have been issued by more than 58 thousand traders in the state. After becoming Agriculture Minister in the present government, orders were issued to conduct all official, correspondence and information related work in Hindi language in the Agriculture Department. "Kamal Suvidha Kendra", a true friend of the farmers, was established (tel number: 0755-2558823) to solve the problems related to the department of the farmer brothers. With special efforts, the regional office of APEDA was opened in Madhya Pradesh, New dimensions of agricultural modernization have been established in the state. Farmers are continuously being encouraged for natural farming, organic farming, crop diversification. Thousands of Agricultural Producer Groups (FPOs) are being formed. For the expansion and promotion of natural farming, the determined government constituted the "Madhya Pradesh Natural Agriculture Development Board". 72 thousand 967 farmers have been registered on the portal for natural farming of the state . In the last three years, the government took revolutionary decisions to provide maximum benefits of Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana to the farmers of the state. The criteria of 100 hectares of notified crop area was changed to 50 hectares. Forest villages, whose farmers did not get the benefit of the insurance scheme, In order to benefit them, they were included in Patwari circles. During the tenure of the previous government, the scale of finance in Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana was increased from 75 percent to 100 percent. In the interest of the farmers, the last date of crop insurance was extended twice. Not only this, for the first time even on government holidays, the bank was opened and insurance was done. The insurance portal of the Government of India was opened with special permission and by getting the entry of the left out farmers, an additional crop insurance claim of Rs 450 crore was given to the farmers. The government deposited the outstanding premium and from the year 2018-19 to the year 2020-21 Kharif, a total of 17 thousand 140Crop insurance claim amount of Rs. crore was provided to the farmers. Natural Farming Promotion Scheme, One District-One Product Scheme, State Scheme for GI Tag, Crop Diversification Promotion Scheme, Agricultural Infrastructure Fund Operation Scheme, Export Promotion Scheme, State Millet Mission, FPO formation in the last three years in the interest of farmers. Started new schemes like Promotion Scheme, Chief Minister Narwai Management Scheme and Skill Development Training. About 4 thousand posts are being recruited by running a campaign to fill the vacant posts of various cadres in the Agriculture Department. While working in the agricultural produce markets of the state, the important work was done to provide compassionate appointment on various posts to the dependents of 181 officers-employees who died in the cheek of time. The state government has made a separate provision of agriculture budget for agriculture and allied activities. A budget provision of Rs 53 thousand 964 crore has been made in the agriculture budget for the financial year 2023-24. In this, there is a provision of Rs 16 thousand 996 crore for the Farmers' Welfare and Agriculture Development Department. The budget of the farmer-oriented scheme "Atma" has been doubled to Rs 2,000 crore 94 lakh. The government has made a remarkable provision of Rs 3 thousand 200 crore in the Chief Minister's Farmers Welfare Scheme. The state received many awards for the farmer friendly work done in the last 3 years and for the remarkable work done in the agriculture sector in the state. The state has been honored with the Excellence Award in the year 2022 by the Government of India for the integration of land records on the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana portal. National Award for "Best Performing State" for maximum utilization of Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) and "Best Emerging State" award for Millet Mission Scheme. Madhya Pradesh ranks first in the field of wheat exports. The state ranks first in the country in production of pulses, second in production of food grains and third in oilseeds. Our state has the best performance in the whole country in the Good-Governance Index in agriculture and allied sectors.

The land of India is the mother of Shri Anna (Millet): Agriculture Minister Shri Patel
Bhopal:MMNN: 12 April 2023

Bhopal : Farmers' Welfare and Agriculture Development Minister Kamal Patel has said that the land of India is the mother of grain (millet). Today it is being produced in 131 countries of the world. Minister Mr. Patel was addressing the national seminar being held in Mussoorie, Uttarakhand on the topic "Millets: Potential and Opportunity". He said that work is being done to convert despair into hope under the capable and successful leadership of Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi. With his inspiration, the United Nations has declared the year 2023 as the International Millet Year.The seminar was inaugurated by Uttarakhand Chief Minister Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami. Agriculture Minister Mr. Patel said that in realizing Prime Minister Mr. Modi's dream of a self-reliant India, the government of Devbhoomi Uttarakhand has also done a national seminar on Mr. Anna while doing important work. Most of the income of the land of sages and sages has been dependent on agriculture. Even today India is an agricultural country. Farmers are the backbone of the economy, this backbone needs to be further strengthened. Prime Minister Shri Modi took care of the farmers and implemented various welfare schemes to make them self-reliant. Minister Mr. Patel welcomed and felicitated all those involved in the seminar on behalf of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mr. Shivraj Singh Chouhan and the farmers of the state. Agriculture Minister Shri Patel informed that State Millet Mission has been set up in Madhya Pradesh. Through this, 80 percent subsidy will be given to farmers to encourage the production of Shri Anna (coarse grains) like Kodo-Kutki, Samba, Ragi, Jowar-Bajra. Necessary arrangements will also be made for processing, packaging and marketing of the produced crop. He informed that Shree Anna will be served as nutritious food once a week in Anganwadis of Madhya Pradesh. Minister Mr. Patel said that cow rearing is also being encouraged to promote natural farming in Madhya Pradesh. Along with this, the board has also been constituted. Agriculture Minister Mr. Patel expressed hope that Prime Minister Mr. Modi's initiative will bear fruits in the International Millet Year and India's Mr. Anna will dominate the whole world. He said that positive results will come from the seminar, which will not only benefit the whole country but also the world.

Now farmers will be able to repay Kharif crop loan till April 15
Bhopal:MMNN: 31 March 2023

Bhopal : The meeting of the Council of Ministers, chaired by the Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, began with the singing of Vande Mataram at Mantralaya. Chief Minister Shri Chouhan said that the last date for farmers to repay the loan of Kharif crop is being extended from March 31 to April 15. The decision was taken by the state government to provide loans to the farmers for Kharif crop at zero percent interest rate. The loan repayment period ends today, March 31.
Chief Minister Shri Chouhan said that many farmer brothers and sisters have not been able to deposit this amount. After the expiry of the period they will become defaulter and after being defaulter they will have to pay more interest. In view of this, the last date for repayment of loan for Kharif crop is being extended to April 15, this will facilitate the farmers to repay the loan and they will not become defaulters.

The state government will pay Rs 60 crore for the extended period

Madhya Pradesh Budget 2023-24: Government made this provision for agriculture, horticulture and animal husbandry
Bhopal:MMNN: 02 March 2023

Budget 2023-24 Madhya Pradesh for agriculture and allied sector

Provision made for these main schemes of agriculture sector in the budget

• The government has made a provision of Rs 5,510 crore for the Atal Krishi Jyoti Yojana in this year's budget. Under the scheme, subsidy is provided to the farmers by the government on the electricity connection of the agricultural pump, so that the farmers can get cheap electricity.


• A provision of Rs 3200 crore has been made for the Farmers Welfare Scheme. Under the scheme, an amount of Rs 4,000 is given in two installments by the state government to the beneficiary farmers of the state's Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana.


• The government has made a provision of Rs 2001 crore for the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana for this year. Under the scheme, farmers are compensated for the loss of crops due to natural calamities.


• The government has made a provision of Rs 1000 crore for the Chief Minister's Farmers Crop Procurement Assistance Scheme


• A provision of Rs 350 crore has been made for interest waiver scheme for defaulter farmers eligible for loan waiver scheme.


• A provision of Rs 270 crore has been made in the budget for the National Agriculture Development Scheme.


• A provision of Rs 152 crore has been made for the Sub Mission on Agriculture Extension (ATMA).


• A provision of Rs 129 crore has been made for SMAM, a scheme being run to provide subsidy on tractors and other agricultural machinery to the farmers.


• Madhya Pradesh State Millet Mission will be started to increase the productivity and increase the value addition of crops like Coarse Cereals Kodo, Kutki, Ragi, Sawa, Jowar, Bajra etc.


• A provision of Rs 600 crore has been made for interest subsidy on short-term loans to farmers through cooperative banks.

Jai-Kisan Crop Loan Waiver Scheme
Bhopal:MMNN: 19 January 2019

Farmers of the state are enthusiastic to derive benefit from the Jai Kisan Crop Loan Waiver Scheme. More than 12 lakh 85 thousand farmers have submitted their loan waiver applications in gram panchayats on January 15 and 19 in the first five days of the scheme. Nearly 5 lakh 38 thousand 283 applications have been submitted today itself. The application forms submitted by the farmers include 60 percent green, 38 percent white and 2 percent pink. So far 7 lakh 48 thousand 868 green, 4 lakh 89 thousand 509 white and 46 thousand 624 pink applications have been submitted. It may be mentioned that applications for loan waiver will be received from the farmers till February 5, 2019 under the prescribed implementation procedure. According to the estimation of the Farmers Welfare and Agriculture Development Department, total 54 lakh loan waiver forms are expected to be submitted till February 5.

Purchase of gram, red lentils and mustard to continue till June 9: CM Shri Chouhan
Bhopal:MMNN: 24 May 2018

Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that the purchase of gram, red lentils and mustard on Minimum Support Price. It will continue if need arises. He issued instructions that all essential arrangements have been made for farmers in the Mandi. He instructed to extend the last date of wheat procurement also as per need. Shri Chouhan was reviewing procurement on Minimum Support Price at the Mantralaya today. CM Shri Chouhan said that arrangements should be made with the participation of farmers in the Mandi. Behave cordially towards farmers. Arrangements in Mandi should be pro-farmers. There should be better arrangements of tea and snacks, buttermilk and shade. Waiting time should be reduced. Number of weighing scales be increased and premises should be extended. He assured farmers about 100 percent crop purchase. Shri Chouhan instructed to make the system of issuing SMS and token more effective. Shri Chouhan told the officials to keep constant vigilance over the purchase work. Primary information of the problem should be obtained at local level promptly and should be monitored. Problems should be resolved promptly. He reviewed arrangements of jute bags, transport, storage and payment. Shri Chouhan obtained information of the progress in the work of depositing the amount given for garlic to farmers accounts. Chief Secretary Shri B.P. Singh, Director General of Police Shri R.K. Shukla, Principal Secretaries, divisional commissioners of concerned departments and Inspector General of Police were present on the occasion.

Need to implement Krishak Udyami Yojana in other states also
Bhopal:MMNN: 22 March 2018

Vice Chairperson of NITI Ayog Dr. Rajiv Kumar today paid a courtesy visit to Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan at the Mantralaya. Among others present during the visit were Vice Chairperson of State Planning Commission Shri Chetan Kashyap, Farmer Welfare and Agriculture Development Minister Shri Gaurishankar Bisen, Energy Minister Shri Paras Jain and Chief Secretary Shri B.P. Singh. CM Shri Chouhan gave information about the efforts being made to improve income of farmers and to promote agriculture based industries in state. Telling him about the Krishak Udyami loan scheme to promote farmers to set up industries and to encourage agriculture based industries, the CM said that 15 percent subsidy, five percent interest grant till 7 years and bank guarantee is given by the government under the scheme. The scheme provides loan of Rs 10 lakh to Rs 2 crore. Efforts will be made to get at least 3 thousand industrial units set up this year under the scheme. Shri Chouhan told that irrigation sources are being expanded speedily to increase agriculture productivity of farmers. In the last one and a half decade, irrigated area has increased from 7.5 lakh to 40 lakh hectares. This will be further taken to 80 lakh hectare only then will near about 80 percent area of the state be irrigated. He said that the state has initiated the Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojana to ensure fair price of the crops to the farmers besides increasing their productivity. This Yojana is useful for both the government and the farmer. This ensures fair price of crops to the farmer and saves the expense on procurement process. Under this scheme, Bhavantar amount of 25 lakh metric tonne crop has been paid so far. Vice Chairperson of NITI Ayog Dr. Kumar praised the Krishak Udyami Yojana of Madhya Pradesh government. He expressed the need to implement the scheme in other states also. Dr. Kumar said that the Ayog will conduct an intensive study of the scheme. He told that it is essential to make schemes based on needs, problems and resources of particular state to bring the concept of cooperative federalism into existence. He said he is touring all states in the country to study the uniqueness of each state. He held a discussion on the schemes and concepts proposed by the Ayog

Efforts on to improve Bhavantar; Crop Survey through satellite
Bhopal:MMNN: 27 February 2018

Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojana will be made better. Manual Survey System of crop registration under Bhavantar will be changed. Efforts are being made to conduct survey work through satellite to avoid human errors. He said that farmers are being encouraged to store crops so that they are able to sell their crops at a fair price in the market. On storage of crops, the farmers will get immediate payment of 25 percent of crop value by the bank. The interest however will be paid by the government. The scheme has become popular among farmers. Farmers are demanding inclusion of other crops also. The CM was replying to queries during Shikhar Sammelan held by a news channel. CM Shri Chouhan told that public supports people who work. The government has attempted to realize inclusive development in state. Several social security schemes including Re one per kg wheat, fee payment of higher education of outstanding students, free medical treatment, land to landless etc. have been implemented after dialogue with the public. Government efforts have led to bumper production in agriculture sector. The new challenge is to fetch fair price to farmers for hard work. Efforts are being made in the direction of agricultural product value promotion. An additional Rs 265 besides Rs 1735 support price per quintal wheat will be given to farmers due to drought situation. He said that apart from stern action on corruption, arrangement of laws for delivery of public service, confiscation of property, e-tendering, e-measurement an e-payment has been made to improve the system. There will be only one cadre of teachers. About 2 lakh teachers have been appointed in the last few years. Very soon recruitments will be made for 40 thousand teachers posts. At least 50 small and big irrigation projects are in progress in Bundelkhand. Efforts were made to fill Chandel era ponds. Dam is being planned on Kane-Betwa. Government has increased irrigated area from 7.5 lakh to 40 lakh hectare which has been done before time. Plan is to further increase it to 80 lakh hectare. He told that a bill will be brought soon to regulate fees in private schools. Youth Empowerment Mission has been made to provide new opportunities to youths. Efforts will be made to upgrade skills of 7.5 lakh youths and provide self-employment to 7.5 lakh youths. All houses in rural areas will have own toilets by October 2, 2019. Medical college has been opened in Sagar for better health services. This year seven new medical colleges will be opened. Treatment scheme up to Rs 5 lakhs will be effectively implemented in state. During a discussion, the Chief Minister informed that the bill related to death penalty to rapists of minors has been sent for approval to the President. On law and order system he said that no big listed dacoit gang exists in state, SIMI network has been busted. Naxalism has ended in borders of Balaghat. He told that Rs 2 lakh crore investment has been made during two global investor summit 2014-2016 in state. He gave details of states progress while telling about the situation of the state about a decade and a half ago. He said the state has surplus power. Rs 85 thousand crore will be spent on urban development. The state tops in Pradhan Mantri Gramin Sadak and Awas Yojana. Drinking water supply and power supply has been improved.

Farmers getting benefits of organic farming
Bhopal:MMNN: 23 February 2018

Organic farming is being promoted by the Farmer Welfare and Agriculture Development Department in Madhya Pradesh. Agriculture cost of farmers who have adopted organic farming has reduced and they are also availing other benefits including fuel. Panna Farmer Ramkishore Nagaich of Pawai village in Panna district has established a gobar gas plant with the help of the Farmer Welfare Department from which he has received several benefits. Ramkishore Earlier would always use chemical fertiliser in his field. Because of this the fertility of his agricultural land was reducing thus affecting agricultural production. He also discussed about it to the field officials of Agriculture Department. They advised him to use gobar gas plant in his house. He had 6 milching cattle and he started using their cow dung in the plant. He also started using the cow dung to make organic fertiliser. Today his agricultural cost has come down to a great extent. There is improvement in soil health also. Now Ramkishore is no longer dependent on the market for fertiliser and fuel. Mandsaur Farmer Kamlesh who hails from village Berkhedadev of Mandsaur district has been farming with chemical fertiliser since all these years. With the fertility of the soil waning, agricultural production was also coming down. He spoke about this with the field officials of the Farmer Welfare and Agriculture Development Department. Kamlesh was then given information about the process of making organic fertiliser. He was also told about organic tonic, organic kaadha to keep away pests. He was also told about use of gaumutra for Jeevamrit, Beejamrit, Jaivik Kaadha made out of vanaspatik leaves, jaivik tonic made from cow dung cakes and vermiwash. Says Kamlesh that by adopting organic farming, soyabean production has increased from 20 quintal to 25-30 quintal per hectare. Besides, wheat production which was 55 quintal per hectare, has now increased to 70 quintal per hectare. Organic farming is now fetching Kamlesh an additional income of nearly Rs 40 thousand in a year.

Apple Ber is being sold with Patel Agriculture Farms Trade mark
Bhopal:MMNN: 20 February 2018

Farmers are being encouraged in Madhya Pradesh to grow horticulture crops along with the traditional crops. Shri Hukum Singh, the farmer of village Bhagwatpura of Makdon Tappe of Ujjain district has earned handsome profit by growing horticulture crop on his farm. Hukum Singh holds 200 bigha land. He used to grow traditional crops like soybean, wheat and gram on his agriculture land. Hukum Singh had grown variety of apple ber on his two and half bigha land besides traditional crops last year. This variety of ber of Thailand has a shape and taste like apple. He decided to sell ber of unique taste in packaging under the brand name this time. His brand received a good response in Indore and Bhopal as well. His brand Patel Krishi Farm has also established its image in the surrounding mandis of Ujjain due to the good taste. Situation has become such that whenever ber load reaches mandis, its get sold immediately. Hukum Singh says that this variety of ber is being purchased in the market at the rate of Rs. 35 to 40 per k.g. He has used bare minimum chemical fertliser in the ber crop. Conducting new experiments, he has also grown kaghzi lemon on 7 bigha and custard apple on 5 bigha land. He says that the officers of the Horticulture department have given him the technical guidance to grow fruits, which has become fruitful to increase the income.

Farmers Need not Feel Sad, Full Compensation to be Provided against Crop Loss: CM Shri Chouhan
Bhopal:MMNN: 14 February 2018

Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan has appealed to the hailstorm affected farmers that they should not worry at all in this hour of crisis. Full compensation will be provided against the crop loss. In his appeal to the farmers, he said that crop loss effects life and it also affects childrens future, but there is no need for the farmers to be worried and feel sad. Relief amount including crop insurance amount will fully compensate the crop loss. The government is with farmers every moment in this hour of crisis. Farmers will not face any kind of problem and there is no need for them to be worried. Moreover, Shri Chouhan mentioned that damage caused to the crop by hailstorm will be fully assessed with transparency. Survey teams will be formed to ascertain the loss and activity to paste assessment of loss in panchayats will be started soon. In case of objection raised on the assessment by any person then it will be rectified immediately. The entire government is with farmers. We will not let farmers bear the loss. Earlier to this, CM Shri Chouhan gathered information about the crop loss in the hailstorm affected areas by convening a high level meeting at CM House. According to the initial information, the hailstorm has caused damage to the crop of 621 villages of 13 districts. The maximum damage to the crop has been caused in Bhopal, Vidisha, Sehore district of Bhopal division. Moreover, there is an information of substantial damage to the crop in Seoni, Chhindwara, Balaghat, Dewas and Hoshangabad. About 27 thousand hectare area has been affected by the hailstorm. The Chief Minister Shri Chouhan has given instructions to begin the survey work immediately to assess the loss by forming teams of patwaris, gram sevaks, agriculture field staff and public representatives. Chief Secretary Shri B.P. Singh, Additional Chief Secretary Finance Shri A. P. Shrivastava, Agriculture Production Commissioner Shri P.C. Meena, Principal Secretary Agriculture Shri Rajesh Rajoura, Principal Secretary Revenue Shri Arun Pandey, Principal Secretaries to CM Shri Ashok Varnval and Shri S.K. Mishra besides other Senior Officers were present in the meeting.

Government listens to farmers and works also for farmers
Bhopal:MMNN: 13 February 2018

Government listens to the farmers and works for their welfare also. This was said by farmers who had come to take part in the Kisan Maha Sammelan at Jamboori Maidan here today. Farmer Tilakram of Shikarpur in Sehore district is happy with the announcements made by Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan. He is of the opinion that they will be benefitted with the incentive of Rs 200 on the support price of wheat. Shri Ramprasad and Shri Bhanwarlal of Khilchipur tehsil in Rajgarh district view the announcements of CM Shri Chouhan at the Kisan Maha Sammelan as a government that works in the interest of farmers. They said that the cost in farming has increased but the government has given them a huge relief by giving them the incentive on support price on wheat. Farmer Shri Bhanwarlal of Gadiakhedi villahe of Kalapipal tehsil in Shajapur district is also happy with the CMs announcements at the Kisan Maha Sammelan. He said that Rs 200 incentive to farmers on the support price of wheat per quintal this year is a major announcement. Shri Bhanwarlal says that he grows wheat crop on most part of his land. Umrao Singh, resident of Rasulia village of Kakadia panchayat , District Bhopal, Shri Kale Khan of Bhanpura village of Bhopal district said that the government not only listens to the farmers but also works for their welfare. Dayal Singh Gurjar of Mengra Navin village said that CM Shri Chouhan made these announcements as he understand the pain and suffering of farmers. He said that the Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojana will be successful in the true sense only when the farmer gets his payment on time. He lauded the payment of interest on storage in a gap of one month. Shri Narayan Singh Gaur of Vagsi village said that God does not just give, he showers you with blessings. This was proved correct at the Kisan Maha Sammelan organized at Jamboori Maidan today by announcements of pro-farmer schemes like CMs Productivity Scheme, Mukhyamantri Rin Samadhan Yojana, One thousand Custom Hiring Centres, Krishak Yuva Udyami Yojana etc. He said that the Chief Minister will get the blessings of thousands of families. Scheduled Caste farmer Shriram said that the CM has given them much, let him be happy always. Shri Vishwanath of Sumer village told that we are happy if the farmers get their crop insurance money, foodgrain material on time and fair price for their produce. Works like providing Khasra copies to farmers, demarcation, grading system in krishi upaj mandia, making farming a beneficial profession, Rs 25 thousand value for cultivation on one acre and increasing rakba on irrigation will have far-reaching results. This Sammelan will prove to be historic for the welfare of farmers. Chief Minister Shri Chouhan made several announcements in the interests of farmers at the Kisan Mahasammelan at Jamboori Maidan in Bhopal. Giving their reactions on the Mahasammelan, the farmers said that farmers will now get fair price for their produce now that they are being provided four months storage facility for their produce and the storage expense will be borne by the state government. Mangilal Kharpa and Mahendra Singh of Rajedi village of Rajgarh district welcomed the CMs announcement to boost gau-palan along with farming. He said that now 15 thousand beneficiaries will be benefitted from Acharya Vidyasagar Gau-Samvardhan Yojana in the whole year. He also said that cowsheds should be operated up to gram panchayat level through public participation for good results. Gajesingh of Berkheda Patahani of Bhopal district expressed joy at the decision of changing kisan credit cards to RuPay cards. With this decision farmers will get cash faster and they will be in a position to use it for farming purposes. Prahlad Singh of Chirouli village in Sanchi block of Raisen district said he is happy for inclusion of onion under Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojana. He said that farmers are not getting fair price for their onion crop since the last few years. This decision will provide relief to onion producing farmers. Farmer Ramgovind of Maina village of Gunnaur tehsil in Panna district said he is happy that the responsibility of custom processing and servicing center has now been handed over to farmers. Farmers of Goyla and Vedannagar village of Shajapur considered the facilities given to sharecropper farmers by the state government are significant. Giving a similar reaction to the announcement of keeping crop in godown/warehouse on government expense to ensure fair price to farmers for their produce under Bhavantar scheme, Bhai Bheema Sahu and Gulchand from Dhavla village of Prabhatpattan block of Multai tehsil in Betul district said Saab Jase to kisan ji jayenga, bahut badhiya baat kahi hai mukhyamantri ne. Mangilal and Meherban Singh of Maujipur village of Shajapur district were so happy that they said Rajaji ki jai ho, small farmers were in great difficulty, now they will get help

Irrigation facility to farmers topmost priority: PR Minister Dr. Mishra
Bhopal:MMNN: 9 February 2018

Public Relations, Water Resources and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Dr. Narottam Mishra said that making irrigation facility available to farmers is topmost priority. He said that the government is not doing any favour on the farmers instead it is fulfilling its responsibility. Dr. Mishra was addressing farmers of Bhagour village in Datia district. PR Minister Dr. Mishra said that there are 926 farmers in Bhagour who will receive Rs 59 lakh 98 thousand 246 as drought relief amount. He told that relief amount is being given to only 517 farmers who have submitted their documents. He urged the remaining farmers to submit their papers to the patwari or tehsildar so that they too can get their relief amount soon. He said that a major area of Bhagour has already received irrigation facility. The remaining rakba will also be provided irrigation facility through Khairi canal as soon it begins. He said that there was maximum water scarcity in 35 villages. This problem has been solved through surface tap water scheme. Giving information about the Pradhan Mantri Sahaj BIjli Har Ghar Yojana, the PR Minister told that free power connections will be provided to all. PR Minister told farmers that they should get registered under Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojana without fail so that they get fair price for gram, masoor, mustard, onion etc. He urged them to get registered under insurance scheme also. Several peoples representatives and villagers were also present during the programme.

Farmers Getting Meals on Concessional Rate in 257 Krishi Upaj Mandis.
Bhopal:MMNN: 8 February 2018

Several kind of facilities are being provided by the Madhya Pradesh State Agriculture Marketing Board to the farmers arriving in the krsihi upaj mandis to sell their crops . The Farmers Welfare and Agriculture Development Department has implemented a scheme to provide meals to the farmers on concessional rates, to enable them to get good food with convenience in the premises of mandis itself. Meal at the rate of Rs. 5 is being provided to the farmers in 257 krishi upaj mandis of the state. The Mandi Board has provided an amount of over Rs. One crore in the form of grant to the krishi upaj mandis for this activity. Meals arrangement on the concessional rate have been made by A and B category mandi committees by their own resources, whereas the grant is being given by the state government for meals arrangement in C and D categories mandis. Agriculture Marketing Award Scheme Agriculture Marketing Award scheme is being implemented by the Agriculture Marketing Board to ensure that farmers must come to sell their agriculture produces in the mandis only. Under the scheme, draws are held twice a year on the occasion of Narmada Jayanti and Balram Jayanti in krishi upaj mandis. Thirty five h.p. tractor is given to the farmer for bumper draw in A category mandis, whereas agriculture equipments up to Rs. 50 thousand cost is given in B, C and D category mandis as per the draw. Beside this, cash rewards are also being given to the farmers in mandis. Awards worth Rs. One crore 50 lakh were given to 880 farmers during the last 2 years to encourage them. The Madhya Pradesh State Agriculture Marketing Board is a three tier level organization in the state with its head office at Bhopal. The Board has 7 regional offices situated in Bhopal, Indore, Ujjain, Gwalior, Sagar, Jabalpur and Rewa. Two hundred 57 mandis and 287 up-mandis are functional in the state. There are 1321 haat-bazaars in the state.

Rs 1450 crore Bhavantar amount to be paid to 10.58 lakh farmers.
Bhopal:MMNN: 7 February 2018

Payment under Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojana is being made to farmers for their produce in Kharif-2017 in Madhya Pradesh. Payment of Rs 1449 crore 91 lakhs will be made to 10 lakh 58 thousand farmers under Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojana in state. Farmers will be given benefit under the Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojana for maize in January and tuar in February, March and April. In October-2017, one lakh 36 thousand farmers selling crops in the mandis will be paid Rs 146 crore 73 lakh under the scheme. In the month of November, 5 lakh 26 thousand farmers will receive a payment of Rs 773 crore 32 lakh. Nearly 3 lakh 97 thousand farmers will receive payment of Rs 620 crore 75 lakhs for their agricultural produce in their bank accounts on February 12, 2018

PR Minister explains Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojana to farmers in villages of Datia like a teacher.
Bhopal:MMNN: 7 February 2018

Public Relations, Water Resources and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Dr Narottam Mishra is explaining Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojana to farmers, just like a teacher. Dr Mishra today, reaching to different villages of Datia district, told the farmers about different schemes including Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojana, while interacting with common men specially farmers. The Public Relations Minister, before this, had informed farmers about beneficial provisions of Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojana in many villages. The Public Relations Minister reached village Bargany, Jigna and Sonagiri in Datia district and gave information about number of benefitted farmers and amount given under Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojana. He informed that new registration for Rabi season will start from February 12.For drought relief amount, Aadhar number and mobile number etc. should be given to Patwari or Tehsildar by farmers. He informed benefitted persons in Sinaval, Sevani, Morera villages. The Public Relations Minister appealed to farmers to get benefit from this important scheme. He told the farmers that Rs 4400 for gram and Rs 800 per quintal for onion will be paid to farmers under the scheme. Public Relations Minister Dr Mishra also informed about Saubhagya Yojana. He told the villagers that free electricity connection is being provided to every person under the scheme. The state government is committed to provide benefit under the scheme to every door easily. Public Relations minister was welcomed in all villages. Public Relations minister visited village Dang Karera also.

System to give one and half time of cost to farmers under consideration: Minister Dr. Mishra.
Bhopal:MMNN: 6 February 2018

Public Relations, Water Resources and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Dr Narottam Mishra gave information about the free electricity connections to farmers under Saubhagya Yojana while visiting various villages of Datia. Dr. Mishra first reached Bahadurpur village. He said that the Central Government is planning to implement a system soon, so that farmers can get one and a half time of cost of their crops. If famers get lesser value for their crops, amount will be given on the line of Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojana. Public Relations Minister informed that Rs 42 lakh 10 thousand 52 and Rs 15 lakh 72 thousand will be given to 536 farmers in Bahadurpur and 292 farmers in Maharajpur respectively. Public Relations Minister reached Niraval and Makauni Public Relations Minister informed villagers about the government schemes in village Niraval. He informed that 479 farmers will get Rs Rs.19 lakh 20 thousand in Niraval; 318 farmers will get Rs 19 lakh 56 thousand in Bidniya, 344 farmers will receive Rs 15 lakh 30 thousand in Bhavanipur and 424 farmers will receive Rs 20 lakh 24 thousand and 145 farmers of Khairi will get Rs 14 lakh 34 thousand amount. Dr. Mishra reaches Chirula by motorcycle Dr. Narottam Mishra reached village Chirula by motorcycle to meet farmers. He addressed the farmers and said that 989 farmers will get Rs 42 lakh 68 thousand in Chirula as a relief. Rs 28 lakh 58 thousand will be given to 528 farmers in Kararikhurd and Rs six lakh 45 thousand relief will be given to 75 farmers in Vilhar village.

MBA degree holder Subir adopts advanced farming

Bhopal, 2 February 2018
MBA degree holder Subir Chaturvedi of Devri village of Gram Panchayat Kachgawan in Katni district is engaged in farming of horticulture crops in poly house through advanced horticulture techniques. He has worked as an advertising marketing manager in a national newspaper from year 1998 to 2006. He also worked as a senior branch manager in a private insurance company from year 2006 to 2012. Subir came to Katni and settled down for the sake of his family and adopted horticulture which was quite different from his profession. Under the guidance of Horticulture Department, Subir first produced capsicum in a poly house. Now he is producing cucumber in his poly house. Subir got a grant for poly house construction under Protected Farming Scheme of the Horticulture Department. With this grant he got the poly house constructed at a cost of Rs 17 lakh 80 thousand on half an acre area. In this Rs 8 lakh 90 thousand grant amount was given to Subir by the Hortriculture department. Subir did come across certain technical problems at first during capsicum production in the beginning but it got solved. Through this he earned an income of Rs 4 lakh through capsicum production within 7 months. Later Subir cultivated Italian cucumber in his poly house through he generated an income of Rs 2 to 3 lakhs in just 2 to 3 months. Subir is still cultivating cucumber in his poly house. Subir Chaturvedi is now included in the progressive farmers’ list and is preparing to produce other advanced horticulture crops.

Union Budget is Pro Poor and Farmers: CM Shri Chouhan.
Bhopal:MMNN: 1 February 2018

Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that the Union Budget tabled in the Parliament is a pro poor and farmers’ budget. This budget will provide relief to the common men of the country. CM Shri Chouhan was giving his reaction on the budget at Mantralaya here today. CM Shri Chouhan mentioned that this budget will realize the dream of the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for building New India. This revolutionary budget will help in eradicating poverty and for creating employment opportunities. Remarkable steps have been taken in the budget for the farmers and poor. It has solutions to double the farmers’ income and will strengthen rural economy. Shri Chouhan stated that the strict steps taken by the Prime Minister in the economy sector has started yielding good results. This budget will facilitate more speed to the fast growing Indian economy. Shri Chouhan mentioned that the budget is focused on poor welfare agenda in the budget. The budget mentions, construction of one crore houses in one year for the poor in the rural areas. A revolutionary decision has been taken for the health sector. Under this, medical treatment expenses of up to Rs. 5 lakh for 10 crore poor families will be borne by the government. Announcement has been made for one medical college in each 3 parliamentary constituency. Also, a revolutionary initiative has been taken in the education sector. Eight crore poor women will get rid of smoke through Ujjawala Yojana. Provisions have been made for agriculture sector in the budget to fix support prices of kharif and rabi crops by adding 50 percent profit in the input cost and arrangement of 10 lakh crore loan. Rural areas will experience major transformation owing to the provision of Rs. 14 lakh crore made for rural infrastructure in the budget. Employment opportunities will increase due to the investment in the infrastructure development in rural areas. Stressing on micro irrigation, provision has been made to form micro irrigation fund. Baans Mission will also facilitate more employment opportunities. Free electricity will be supplied to the houses of 4 crore poor under the Soubhagya Yojana. An increase of 20 percent has been made in the budget for scheduled caste and tribe. This is important for the upliftment of weaker section. A sum of Rs. 148 lakh crore will be spent for the expansion of railways. Two lakh 50 thousand villages will be linked with broad band. Ten main places will be developed in the form of tourist places. Provision of Rs. 3 thousand 794 crore has been made for MSME’s loan, which will help increase in employment opportunities. The revolutionary initiative to eradicate poverty and to increase employment opportunities has been taken in the budget.

Skill Development Center and Krishi Upaj Mandi to be Started at Naigarhi: CM Shri Chouhan

Bhopal, 27 December 2017:
Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan in a district level Antodaya Mela at Naigarhi of Rewa District held during the Vikas Yatra said that a Micro Irrigation Project has been prepared to provide irrigation facility to 236 villages of Naigarhi area, the work related to the project will be started shortly. Efforts will be made to provide irrigation water in areas which remain deprived of irrigation facility after the survey. He made announcement for opening krishi upaj mandi and skill development center in Naigarhi. Shri Chouhan dedicated and laid foundation of various development works costing Rs. 187.14 crore on the occasion. Moreover, CM Shri Chouhan announced to name Government Higher Secondary School -Naigarhi and Dhera Higher Secondary School after Thakur Gopal Sharan Singh and Shaheed Ram Sajivan Jaiswal respectively. He said that construction of Mini Stadium at Naigarhi and Dharmashala in the campus of Ashtbhuji Mata Mandir at Devtalab will be carried out. Shri Chouhan mentioned that dream of every child for education will be realized. Benefit of Muhkya Mantri Medhavi Vidhyarthi Yojana will be provided to the students, scoring 70 percent and above marks in 12th class. He informed that houses have been sanctioned to 25 thousand poor under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. Out of these, the construction of over 11 thousand houses has been completed. Furthermore, Shri Chouhan stated that a law is being enacted to give death penalty to the culprits committing heinous crimes against the girls. Additional required amount will be made available for Gou-Abhyaran in Basawan Mama area. Shri Chouhan further said that a scheme for electricity bill of Rs. 200 per month for poor will be implemented soon. This will help eradicating over and under billing. Minister for Industry Shri Rajendra Shukla and MLA Shri Girish Gautam distributed benefits of Rs. One crore 49 lakh under various schemes to 52 beneficiaries during the programme. Member of Parliament Shri Janardan Mishra, MLA Shri Divyaraj Singh and other Public Representatives were present on the occasion

PR Minister Dr. Mishra distributes soil health card to farmers

Bhopal, 22 December 2017:
Public Relations, Water Resources and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Dr. Narottam Mishra today distributed soil health cards to farmers in Datia. Dr. Mishra told farmers to avail benefits of the state government schemes to increase their income. These schemes have become a strong medium of improving economic situation. He said that the health examination of soil will ensure advanced farming and increased production.
Dr. Mishra at National Service Scheme Camp
Dr. Narottam Mishra took part in the conclusion programme of National Service Scheme camp of Government Higher Secondary School at Badouni in Datia district. He said that qualities of leadership, cooperativeness and community labour are developed in students through NSS which improves the personality of students.
Multi-gym inaugurated
PR Minister Dr. Mishra inaugurated multi-gym at Badouni. He appreciated the efforts made to start the gym. Public representatives were present during the programme.
Assistance to victimized family
Dr. Mishra presented assistance of Rs 4 lakh to a family affected by snakebite. Recently Mithilesh Kushwaha of Bahadurpur village died of snakebite.

80-year-old farmer Athhilal yearly income is Rs 4 lakh

Bhopal, 18 December 2017:
Athhilal Kushwaha, a resident of Majhgavan in Katni district is still growing vegetables on his land at 80 years of age. For this he is taking all benefits of government schemes. He is earning Rs 4 lakh yearly through vegetable production thhilal is currently growing lay finger, peas, chilly, cabbage and capsicum. He has constructed a shade net house under Protected Farming Scheme on one acre in his field. For this he received a grant amount of Rs 14 lakh 20 thousand from the Horticulture Department. Along with shade net house, they are also making use of mulching and drip irrigation for improved production. He is receiving 100 times more benefit from using mulching and drip irrigation. Drip irrigation saves water and mulching also helps in controlling weeds. Now work of four hours can be finished in one hour. A batter is made through drip and pesticides are easily sprayed on plants thus saving labour.

Entire Country’s Eyes Set on Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojana: CM Shri Chouhan

Bhopal, 20 November 2017:
Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojana is a wonderful scheme to protect farmers' interest. Eyes of the entire country are set on Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojana. He clearly instructed the officers to ensure that the correct difference amount should be deposited in the bank accounts of the farmers. Under the scheme, first payment will be made to 1.35 lakh farmers together on November 22. Chief Minister Shri Chouhan was discussing Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojana in detail with district collectors through Video Conferencing at Mantralaya today. On this occasion, Chief Secretary Shri BP Singh and other senior officials were present. The Chief Minister clearly told the officials that all formalities should be completed within time with utmost care for payment of price difference so that farmers can get fair value of their produce on time. No lapses will be tolerated in this regard. The farmers who sold produce between October 16 and 31 under the scheme will be paid directly in their bank account on November 22. He said that farmers, who missed the registration, will be given registration facility between November 15 and 22. Shri Chouhan asked collectors of Hoshangabad, Harda, Bhopal, Dewas, Sehore and Narsinghpur districts to visit Krishi Upaj Mandis to take stock of the situation for low rates of Urad. Cancel the bid if necessary, so that farmers get the fair price for produce. He instructed to upload and verify information on the portal so that payment can be made on time. Shri Chouhan also instructed to ensure payment of insurance claim of kharif crop to farmers. They said that there should be no shortage in it. This scheme is like a 'Sanjvanee' for farmers. Under this, payment of around Rs 8000 crore will be made to farmers. Principal Secretary, Agriculture, Dr Rajesh Rajora informed that due to the implementation of Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojana, arrivals have increased in Mandis. Besides, the farmers of Madhya Pradesh are also getting higher prices on their produces as compared to farmers of other states. Proper arrangements of sale have been made. Model rates have been displayed in all mandis. Agriculture Commissioner, Shri PC Meena and other officials were present in the meeting

Arrival of crops increased in Mandis due to Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojana, farmers getting good value

Bhopal, 13 November 2017:
Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan apprised himself about the execution of Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojana through video conference with divisional commissioners and collectors today at Mantralaya. Collectors said that confusions prevailed earlier about Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojana are minimized now. Consequently, arrival of crops has increased. Farmers are satisfied on getting good value of crops. Crops are hitting 20 weekly markets in remote areas of tribal districts. These weekly markets have been included due to arrival of the crops. Apart from this, 51 up-mandis too have been activated where farmers are coming with considerable quantity. So far, 171 lakh metric tonne grains have reached mandis. Mandis have generated revenue of Rs 28 crore in last one month alone. The Chief Minister appreciated all the collectors for making the scheme successful by working proactively in the interest of the farmers. He said that this is the time to extend support to farmers. They are in crisis. Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojana is a mean to serve the farmers. This will help in giving historic justice to farmers. He issued instructions to make monitoring teams more active and vigilant for giving right value to farmers. He said that those who created negative perception regarding the scheme, should not be given the same opportunity again. Chief Minister Shri Chouhan asked collectors to send message through SMS about the payment being made under the scheme to 1.55 lakh registered farmers selling their crops between October 16 and 31 in mandis byNovember 20. The Chief Minister instructed district and divisional level monitoring teams to visits mandis. Shri Chouhan said that payment of price difference to farmers who sold their crop between October 16 and 31 should be ensured. He said that full transparency must be maintained in payment process. Farmers should be served by extending support and no opportunity should be given to anti-farmer people to defame this farmer-friendly scheme. Shri Chouhan instructed to carry out verification of all farmers' bank accounts. He said that sowing area, production etc. should also be verified cautiously apart from bank accounts. He instructed to collect detail of bank accounts of registered farmers and avail them to mandis and deposit the money in farmers account. He said that farmers will get opportunity to put their any type grievance. The Chief Minister said that amount of price difference of the 15 days will be deposited in farmers' account on Farmers' Convention to be held in Ujjain on November 20. He said that farmers' trust in Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojana is increasing. All confusions have gone. He said that some so-called anti-farmer people had tried to spread misleading information about the scheme, they did not succeed. Shri Chouhan said that farmers should know how much value they have got for their crop. Each farmer should get benefit of this scheme. If real farmers have missed registration under the scheme due to some reason, collect their detail and register them after verification. Registration facility will be opened for such farmers between November 15 and 22. He instructed collectors of cotton producing districts to make special arrangements for cotton procurement and monitor it. It was informed that 15500 quintals have been procured at minimum support price at 8 centers in the state. The Chief Minister asked the collectors to encourage farmers to take benefit of storage grant scheme as well. In the Scheme, the amount of grant has been increased from Rs seven to Rs 9.90 per quintal per month. He said that offline applications will be registered online soon. Collectors appreciated The Chief Minister appreciated the efforts made by collectors of Shahdol, Jhabua and Alirajpur districts to bring the produce of tribal farmers to mandis. Special vehicles were arranged for collection of tribal farmers' produce in these districts. Total 2000 quintal grains reached Mandis in Shahdol district. Nodal officer was appointed for each village so that every farmer can be given benefit of Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojana. The Chief Minister said that the implementation of Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojana has been taken in mission mode. He instructed to continue such efforts in the future as well for this historical decision for farmers. Take action against those who are spreading misleading information about tribal's land Discussing other issues with divisional commissioners and collectors, Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that some anti-social persons and groups are spreading misleading information that the government is making legal provision to sell their land to non-tribal people. Shri Chouhan asked divisional commissioners and collectors that keep an eye on such persons and take strict action against them for spreading misinformation. The Chief Minister clarified that the government is not making any such legal provision nor has any intention to do so. He said that people of tribal community were the owners of their land and will always be the same. He said that such anti-social elements are spreading misinformation in tribal dominated districts and they should not be paid attention. He asked collectors that tribal community people should be made vigilant and they should be alerted for not being misled by such people. Chief Secretary Shri BP Singh and other senior officials were present in the video conferencing.

International Training on Agricultural Engineering Technologies for Enhancing Productivity and Profitability in Agriculture Sector at ICAR-CIAE, Bhopal

Bhopal, 6 November 2017:
An International Training of African-Asian Rural Development Organization (AARDO) on Agricultural Engineering Technologies for Enhancing Productivity and Profitability in Agriculture Sector commenced on 24 October, 2017 at ICAR-Central Institute of Agricultural Engineering (CIAE), Bhopal. The training sponsored by AARDO and Ministry of Rural Development, GOI was attended by eight participants; one each from Bangladesh, Egypt, Lebanon, Malaysia, Palestine, Sri Lanka, Sudan and Zambia. During this 14 days (Oct. 24 to Nov. 6, 2017) training programme, knowledge about technologies and equipment for agricultural production, irrigation and drainage, processing and value addition and renewable energy was imparted through lectures, presentations, practical sessions, hand-on experience and field visits. Valedictory function of the training was held on Nov. 6, 2017. Secretary General of African- Asian Rural Development Organization (AARDO) His Excellency Eng. Wassfi Hassan El Sreihin. Dr. KK Singh, Director, ICAR-Central Institute of Agricultural Engineering presided over the function. The Secretary General of AARDO informed that AARDO was formed in 1962 in recognition of need for cooperation among countries in the field of agriculture and rural development. He also told that AARDO is an autonomous inter-governmental organization with 32 member countries. AARDO realizes its objectives, among others, by way of human resource development which is based on training programmes, workshops, seminars, study visits, deputation of experts, etc. AARDO strategies are broadly focussed on four areas, viz. human resource development, financing of development pilot projects, dissemination of information and networking. He further stated that keeping in view of the vast experience and technological know-how available in India in the field of Human Resources Development; arrangements have been made with the Government of India for the award of training fellowships to the officials from AARDO member countries. Having realized that agriculture is one of the most influential professions in rural development, AARDO has been supporting training programmes for agriculture professionals in its member countries and there is no better organization in India than Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) to host such training programmes. In the specific area of Agricultural Engineering, AARDO has been collaborating with ICAR-Central Institute of Agricultural Engineering (CIAE), Bhopal since 2010 and all its programmes have been highly effective in imparting appropriate technical know-how to the participants. In his presidential address, Dr. KK Singh, Director, ICAR-CIAE told that over more than four decades of its existence, ICAR-CIAE has developed many technologies highly relevant to marginal, small and medium scale farmers. The institute is an active collaborator to various international agencies like AARDO, UN-EPCAM, WAAP, USAID, SAARC, etc. He further added that this course aimed at enlightening the participants in the areas of: Agricultural Mechanization, Post-harvest Mechanisation, On-farm Energy Management and Agricultural Mechanization Strategies; relevant to the member countries of AARDO and informed that this is fifth time that ICAR-CIAE has organised training for participants of AARDO member countries. He informed that the discussions during the current training helped the scientist of the institute to understand geographic, social, economic and political scenario of the participating countries and hoped that this programme would prove to be stepping stone towards formation of collaborative developmental projects in future. He assured that ICAR-CIAE would extend all support in the field of agricultural engineering to the AARDO and stakeholders of its member countries. Earlier, participants shared their experiences during training and expressed that they could gather a lot of new information which would prove very important for rural development in their respective countries. They also expressed that getting to know geographical and social framework of central India and relishing local cuisine has been a memorable experience for them. On this occasion, course director of the training, Dr. Nachiket Kotwaliwale presented a detailed report on the proceeding of 14-days training and Dr. PC Bargale presented vote of thanks to the sponsors, participants, training faculty and all the dignitaries.

Collector authorised for open auction for sale-purchase outside Mandi premises under Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojana

Bhopal, 3 November 2017:
The State Government has authorised district collector to arrange open auction for sale-purchase outside Mandi premises under the Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojana. According to the order issued by the Farmers Welfare and Agricultural Development Department, such places which are not notified for Krishi Upaj mandi/ up-mandi, district collector will declare them special premises after getting approval in district level committee of the scheme. The places need to be used as Krishi Upaj Mandi in the wider interest of farmer, will be declared special premises. It would be necessary to declare special mandi premises that there should be minimum 5 active traders in the premises, who have a license number in their name. At the same time, there will be minimum one inspector, four assistant sub-inspectors, and proper arrangement of transparent auction, digital weighing and payment in the premises. It will be clarified that Mandi Fee and receipt of payment to farmers is being verified before exit of produce purchased by the licensed traders and any type of deduction on the payment of farmers such as Tulai / Hammali and others Commissions etc. are not being done. Such special premises will be considered only under the notified premises of their respective original Mandi /Up-Mandi. In such special premises, the income received from agricultural marketing arrivals, purchasing and sale fees and Mandi fee will be recorded on the portal, quoting in the form of outer premises/ weekly Haat. These premises will be temporary premises for the period of the scheme

Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojana to be Continued: Farmers must not Come in Any Ones Entrapment

Bhopal, 1 November 2017:
Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojana will be continued in the interest of the farmers. He further mentioned that people of the opposition is creating confusion about this scheme. . Shri Chouhan made appeal that farmers should not come in any ones enticement. He stated that he is a son of a farmer and understand the pains and problems of the farmers. CM Shri Chouhan was addressing the inaugural function of Vikas Yatra on the occasion of Madhya Pradesh foundation Day in village Bhanpura of district Mandsaur. He dedicated unit -2 of Bhanpura Canal Project on the occasion. He also dedicated and laid foundation of development and construction works costing about Rs. 500 crore of Mandsaur district today. These projects will irrigate 37 thousand 700 hectare land of 130 villages Moreover, Shri Chouhan announced that keeping in view the scanty rainfall in the state, temporary electricity connections will be provided to the farmers for a period of 2 months. Shri Chouhan said that the government will provide pucca house to every poor person of the state during the next 3 years. He further stated that land lease (patta) will be given to every poor person for his/her present house and the government will also provide them houses. Inaugurating the Pradesh Vikas Yatra from village Bhanpura, Shri Chouhan said that our Madhya Pradesh will become an example of constant development now. Speed of development will not break in any condition. He gave credit to the hard labour of the farmers for over 20 percent growth rate of the state achieved constantly during the last 5 years. Shri Chouhan stated that Madhya Pradesh has no more a Bimaru State. Irrigation facility was provided on just 7.5 lakh hectare land of the state in the past. The irrigation area has been increased to 40 lakh hectare area with the efforts of the government. Congratulating the farmers of Garoth and Bhanpura area, Shri Chouhan said that this is happened first time that water is being supplied from Gandhi Sagar to every farm and house of Bhanpura and Garoth tahsils by laying pipeline through underground canal. He mentioned that this area now will enrich with crops. Shri Chouhan made announcement for approval of Rs. 800 crore for Shamgarh-Suwasra Irrigation Project. The project on completion will facilitate irrigation on 40 thousand hectare land of 180 villages. He further announced for survey to supply water to the village of Manasa of Neemuch district. Shri Chouhan mentioned that the approval will be given for irrigation projects as demanded by the local public representatives on the basis of survey and its report. All kind of new construction works will be carried out in Dudhakhedi Mataji Mandir. Positive steps will be taken for 100 beds hospital in Garoth. Shri Chouhan mentioned that all the obstacles related to establishment of food park in Daloda will be removed. Tolas and Majras (Settlements) of Garoth area will be made revenue villages. Electricity will be provided to all the deprived families within next 2 years. Benefit certificates of over Rs. 24 crore of various government schemes were distributed to total 17 thousand 892 beneficiaries of Garoth and Bhanpura blocks in the programme. The Chief Minister Shri Chouna also distributed benefits to 25 beneficiaries symbolically. Local MP Shri Sudhir Gupta and MLA Garoth Shri Yashpal Singh also addressed the programme. MLAs Shri Jagdish Devda, Shri Omprakash Saklecha, Shri Dilip Singh Parihar, President Jila Panchayat Smt. Priyanka Dr. Mukesh Giri Goswami, Chairman Farmers Welfare Commission Shri Ishwarlal Patidar, Chairman District Cooperative Bank Shri Madanlal Rathore, Office Bearers of Panchayat Raj Institutions, Public Representatives and Citizens in large number were present in the programme.

Farmers getting fair price after Bhavantar Yojana

Bhopal, 1 November 2017:
Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan today reviewed the Mukhya Mantri Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojana at the Mantralaya. He issued instructions to ensure all arrangements for display of model rates of produce in the mandis and their purchase. Chief Secretary Shri B.P. Singh, Additional Chief Secretary Home Shri K.K. Singh, Commissioner Agriculture Production Shri P.C. Meena, Principal Secretaries to the CM Shri Ashok Vernwal and Shri S.K. Mishra, Mandi Commissioner Shri Faiz Ahmed Kidwai and senior officer were present. It was told that action has been taken against anti-social elements who have been disturbing the mandi atmosphere. Cash payment to farmers has begun and they are now not facing any kind of problem. The Chief Minister issued instructions to all the senior officers to visit the mandis and redress grievances of farmers immediately. During the review it was told that farmers are receiving fair price for urad and moong yield after Bhavantar Yojana. It has also been told that the Bhavantar Yojana has neither made any negative effect nor has the price of the produce reduced. Farmers are also not facing any loss. Mandi trade is being undertaken peacefully and farmers are getting their cash payment. Collectors and related administrative officers are taking care of the arrangements.

Directions to provide fair price to farmers for their produce at any cost

Bhopal, 31 October 2017:
Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan today conducted a detailed review of the Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojana at a meeting of high level officials at his residence. He directed to ensure that the farmers must get fair price for their produce at any cost. Chief Secretary Shri B.P Singh and other senior officials were present at the meeting. Shri Chouhan said that control rooms should be set up in the districts to remove the myths being spread regarding Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojana. He told to make proper arrangement for immediate redressal of the farmers’ grievances on the toll free number. He told to entrust responsibility of the districts to the senior officials so that they can go to the mandis and ensure proper implementation of the scheme and redress grievances of farmers on the spot. The Chief Minister clarified that traders will not have to face any obstruction in cash payment to farmers against their agricultural produce. He said that cash payment of Rs 50 thousand must be made to the farmers on sale of agricultural produce.

Madhya Pradesh tops in farmers welfare and agriculture development

Bhopal, 30 October 2017:
The media of neighbouring state has started taking interest in the remarkable progress made in various areas of development and public welfare in Madhya Pradesh. In this context, a delegation of journalists from Maharashtra state has arrived in the state. The delegation visited various places in the state, saw the development works, apprised themselves with the innovations and met the farmers and entrepreneurs to get acquainted with the condition of the state. The journalists delegation also met the Public Relations Minister Dr. Narottam Mishra at the latters residence. Welcoming the delegation on their visit to the state Dr. Mishra said that the state has made remarkable progress through the implementation of schemes related to agriculture, education, employment, industry and women and child development related directly to the common man in the state. Dr. Mishra said that the state has witnessed a historic achievement of rise in irrigation area from 7 lakh hectare to 40 lakh hectare in the last 14 years in state. It is due to the six-time rise in irrigation area that Madhya Pradesh has received the Krishi Karman Award consecutively. Work of providing water for irrigation to every field has been taken up on priority. He said that Chief Minister Shri Chouhan has ensured adequate power supply to every section after implementing power feeder separation system in Madhya Pradesh on the lines of Gujarat. Dr. Mishra said that several schemes of Madhya Pradesh are now being implemented in other states also. These include Ladli Lakshi Yojana, Cycle Supply Scheme. Mukhya Mantri Teerth Darshan Yojana. The PR Minister said that the recently launched Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojana is proving useful for farmers who are now receiving a respectable price for their produce in the market. Dr. Mishra gave information about the activities of parliamentary affairs and public relations in the state. They were given specific information about the provisions and schemes for being awarded under different categories and to give accreditation, insurance scheme, Shraddhanidhi yojana for journalists. The journalists told Dr. Mishra that they were very happy to witness the natural beauty of Madhya Pradesh specially Bhopal. They have acquired new information during their visit to various institutions. The journalists delegation from Maharashtra met Commissioner Agriculture Production of Madhya Pradesh Shri P.C Meena and Principal Secretary Farmers Welfare and Agriculture Development Dr. Rajesh Rajoura on October 29. They collected information about schemes implemented in the field of agriculture for farmers by the state government and achievements of the state. The Journalists were told by Commissioner Agriculture Production Shri P.C. Meena that the effective work plan for doubling income of farmers in Madhya Pradesh is being complied with. The state has been receiving the Rashtriya Krishi Karman Award for the last five years consecutively. Principal Secretary Dr. Rajora has informed that Madhya Pradesh tops in the country in production of pulses, oil seeds, grams, masoor, soybean, guava, tomatoes and garlic. Similarly, Madhya Pradesh holds second rank in the country in production of wheat, arhar, sarson, amla, oranges, peas and coriander. The agriculture production of Madhya Pardesh was 2.14 crore metric tonne in the year 2004-05, which has grown to 5.44 crore metric tonne in the year 2016-17. He further added that the state government has given priority to implement the recommendations of Dr. Swaminathan Commission to redress the grievances of the farmers beside development of the agriculture sector. The Krishi Cabinet has been formed in Madhya Pradesh in the interest of the farmers. Moreover, Dr. Rajora informed that the Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojana is being implemented in the state first time in the country for the crops of soybean, groundnuts, sesame, ramtil, maize, moong, urad and arhar. Registartion of the farmers have been made on the portal under the scheme. Over 16 lakh farmers of the state have registered themselves for different crops in this scheme. He further informed that free registration was carried out from September 11 to October 15. Crops have started arriving in the krishi upaj mandis of the state. The difference between minimum support price and the model sale price is being deposited in the bank accounts of the farmers.
Journalists Visit Tribal Museum and Archeology Museum
Delegation of Journalists also visited Tribal Museum of Culture Department, State Museum of Archeology Department and Shaurya Smarak. On this occasion, it was informed that Madhya Pradesh is located at the center point of the country geographically. The borders of Madhya Pradesh touch borders of 5 states. Glimpses of these states are clearly visible in the tribal culture of the state. Different phases of the life of tribal culture , festivals, and ceremonies like marriage etc. are displayed in the museum in the interesting and attractive manner. Museum has been established with an objective to watch tribal community in totality and to understand their life. Delegation of Journalists from Maharashtra also visited State Museum of Archeology Department. Person in-charge of the State Museum informed that the Museum houses 16 galleries. The State Museum has been constructed at the cost of Rs. 12 crore. Pre-historic fossils, excavated material, metal idols, records, idols, royal collection, textile, freedom struggle, postal stamps, autographs, manuscripts, pictures, currencies and arms etc. are being exhibited nicely in the galleries of the museum.

Seed Federation to have its brand like IFFCO, KRIBHCO: MoS Shri Sarang

Bhopal, 27 September 2017:
Minister of State for Cooperative Shri Vishwas Sarang said that Seed Federation is preparing to introduce its brand like IFFCO and KRIBHCO. Execution is being made by forming short term and long term schemes by Seed Federation. Minister of State Shri Sarang was addressing the annual general meeting of State Cooperative Seed Federation. Shri Sarang said that Seed Federation will have its brand. Quality of seeds will be maintained. Marketing of seeds will be done through seed producer committees through this brand. He said that execution on this plan has already started. This is a long term plan. The Minister of State said that logistic facility has been given to committees as part of short term scheme to ensure sale of seeds of seed producer committees. Shri Sarang said that seed federation will implement suggestions of seed producer committees. Marketing chain of seed societies will be made through the federation. The Minister of State for cooperative Shri Sarang said that the areas will be earmarked which are suitable for seed production and seeds producer committees are producing the seed there. Cluster involving one or more district will be formed. The committees will be given technical and scientific inputs for seed production. Supply of this seeds in the areas where it is in demand will be ensured. Annual report, budget and income and expenditure of the federation was approved in the meeting. Managing director of seed federation Shri RK Ghiya, MD, Apex Bank, Shri Pradip Nikhra, MD, Seed Certification Board, Shri KS Tekam, officers of concerned departments and office-bearers of seed producer committees were present in the meeting.

Demand for soyabean as food and animal feed is rising in India: Scott Sindelar, Minister Counselor, Agriculture Affairs, USDA

Bhopal, 25 September 2017:
A conference on the Soy: Avenues and Opportunities was organised by the US Soybean Export Council (USSEC) by involving its various stakeholders from the industry, government, academia, agri policy experts, US department of Agriculture (USDA and National Institute of Nutrition etc at Hotel Le Meridien, New Delhi.
Addressing on this occasion Mr. Scott Sindelar,
the Minister Counselor of Agriculture Affairs at the American Embassy, New Delhi Said" If India wants to increase production of soyabean to meet domestic demand, it should allow use of innovative technologies, including genetically modified organism or GMO or allow imports from global market". He said the existing processing capacity can be utilised by importing oilseed and highlighted that India's neighbour like Bangladesh is buying from overseas market. India is fifth largest producer of soyabean in the world with production of around 10-12 million tonnes, while the US at the top with 120 million tonnes output.
Mr. Vijay Sardana,
an agriculture policy and trade expert spoke about addressing the nutritional challenges and creating employment through soy food business. Vijay replied the query on the GST and the regulatory matters. Dr. Prabodh Halde, head regulatory affairs, Marico covered the regulatory norms on the edible oil and other processed food products. Dr. Jyoti Prakash Tamang, Dean Sikkim University talked about various fermented soy food product and its commercialization in India. Mr. D N Pathak, Executive Director of the Soy Processors Association of India (SOPA) stated that soy food is one of the fastest growing businesses in India with an annual growth of 8 to 10%. Mr. Pathak advocated that our government should consider including soy in the school feeding and social welfare programs by framing proper policy on this. Mr. Indranil Chatterjee from the DuPont Nutrition presented about the protein rich foods and beverages made by using soy protein isolates and concentrates. Speaking on the role soy can play in health and nutritional security of India, Dr. Ratan Sharma; head Soy Food Program of the USSEC stated that Soybean is one of the very few plants those provide a high quality protein with minimum saturated fat. Soybean helps people feel better and live longer with an enhanced quality of life. Soybeans contain all the three macronutrients required for good nutrition, as well as fiber, vitamins, minerals. Soybean protein provides all the essential amino acids in the amounts needed for human health. Protein in just 250 grams of soy bean is equivalent to protein in 3 liters of milk or 1 kg of mutton or 24 no’s of eggs. In addition to being a rich source of nutrients, soybean has a number of phytochemicals (isoflavones), which offer health benefits along with soy protein. Soy protein and isoflavones together contribute to a number of health benefits such as, cancer prevention, cholesterol reduction, keeping heart healthy, combating osteoporosis and menopause regulation. Being low in glycaemic index soy plays a very important role in maintaining the low sugar levels in diabetics. Dr. Sharma discussed about various soy products including of the soymilk, tofu, soy nuggets, soy fortified wheat flour and gram flour, soy based Dal Analogue, and suggested that these products have been made by using high end processing technology, tasty and highly safe for consumption. He further emphasised that soy could be a wonderful solution to reduce the protein calorie malnutrition in India, and our government should include soy as a main nutritional ingredient for various supplementary nutrition and welfare programs to ensure a healthy young generation. Dr. Sharma further explained about the nutritional quality of the soy oil from USA. Besides the regular nutritious soy oil US has developed high oleic soy oil. High oleic soy oil is being very popular as industry preferred substitute for partially hydrogenated vegetable oils and are used in all manners of processed foods especially the snack foods for deep frying. High oleic soy oil is free from trans fats as well as lower in saturated fat and contains three times more of beneficial monounsaturated fatty acid compared to conventional soy oil. As per Dr. sharma recently in August 2017 US Food and Drug Administration FDA approved Bunge North Americas petition for a qualified health claim linking soybean oil consumption to reduced risk of heart disease. Soybean oil is the US most commonly used ingredient and top dietary source of polyunsaturated fats. Soy oil is the second largest edible oil used in India. Soybean oil is considered heart-healthy oil as its cholesterol-free and low in saturated fatty acids it contains 61 % poly-unsaturated fatty acids. Two fat components essential for health and wellbeing, linoleic and linolenic acids, are also found in the right proportions in soybean oil. It is also a good source of vitamin E. Like fish oils, soybean oil contains omega-3, known to be protective against heart disease and cancer. Discussing about the Soy food business opportunities in India Dr. Sharma very clearly mentioned that raw material plays a major role to produce a quality product delivering proper nutrients and making a tasty product. Food specialty soybeans are not grown in India limiting the growth of soy food sector in lack of desired quality product with limited value addition possibilities. Dr. Sharma highly recommended the food specialty soybeans from USA which produces an excellent quality soy food with much better acceptability of the end product and excellent value addition possibility when compare with the Indian soybeans. Recently soy food processing has been immersed as a very good source of creating the employment opportunities on a small, medium and large scale. India is the fifth largest producer of soybeans but in lack of awareness on its nutrition and the proper processing technologies this product is not getting the acceptance in the Indian diet. Although the soy food processing sector is growing at a faster rate of 10% annually but still needs to develop with a pace to bridge the protein gap of the country. This program was attended by a large number of people from the soy food industry, trade associations, nutrition professionals, scientists and professionals from the multinational companies from all over the country along with the representatives from the press and media. The U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) is a dynamic partnership of key stakeholders representing U.S. soybean producers, commodity shippers, merchandisers, allied agribusinesses and agricultural organizations. Through a global network of international offices and strong support in the U.S., USSEC provides trade and technical services as well as market access support in order to build a preference for U.S. soy and soybean products.

Punjab and MPs agriculture universities to sign MoU

Bhopal, 8th March, 2016:
An MoU would soon be singed between Jabalpur University of Madhya Pradsh and Punjab Agriculture University for exchange of agriculture techniques and research.
This was decided during discussions between Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan and his Punjab counterpart Shri Prakash Singh Badal at Ludhiana on Sunday.
Punjab's Deputy Chief Minister Shri Sukhbir Singh Badal also paid a courtesy visit to Shri Chouhan.
Earlier, the Chief Minister visited Punjab Agriculture University. Shri Chouhan.
He witnessed new researches in agriculture, development of varieties of mustard, drip irrigation, new varieties of mushrooms and their product, advanced agriculture implements and treatment of crop diseases.
Punjab's ACS Agriculture Shri Suresh Kumar, Agriculture Minister Sardar Tota Singh and university's Pro-Vice Chancellor Shri B.S. Dhillon were also present on the occasion.
The Chief Minister also witnessed an exhibition on the premises of the university. The university also gave presentations before Shri Chouhan.
The Chief Minister lauded activities of the university.

Empowerment of farmers by creating awareness about new agricultural technologies and to spread scientific temper is the need of the hour

Mr. Ranjan Mukherjee Additional Director General, Prasar Bharti, is inaugurating the media workshop on “communicating Science & Biosafety” Makhanlal Chaturvedi National University, in Bhopal today.
Empowerment of farmers by creating awareness about new agricultural technologies and to spread scientific temper is the need of the hour. While delivering the key note address at the regional media workshop on communicating Science and Bio safety for Media Personnel at Makhanlal Chaturvedi National University of Journalism and Communication, (MCNUJ&C) Bhopal today, Mr. Ranjan Mukherjee, Addl. Director General, Prasar Bharati said that the agricultural research results should go from lab to land so that the farming community will be benefited for increasing agricultural production.
Prof. B.K. khutiala, Vice Chancellor, Makhanlal Chaturvedi National University, is inaugurating the media workshop on “communicating Science & Biosafety” Makhanlal Chaturvedi National University, in Bhopal today.
Water conservation and irrigation technologies and information about high yielding varieties are to be informed to the farmers by media by rationality, enquiry and method apart from content. 62 national agricultural universities and 642 Krishi Vigyan Kendras in India are doing a commendable work in agricultural research. Kisan Channel of Doordarshan started by the Prime Minister of India aims at agricultural science communication and educating the farmers about relevant agricultural technologies and providing scientific information for increasing the agricultural production. Kisan channel will be a pioneer in creating journalistic standards in scientific reporting. Radio, Television and Print Media are mass communication channels to create awareness about agriculture biotechnology and bio safety. While delivering the inaugural address, Prof. B.K. Kuthiala, Vice Chancellor of MCNUJ&C, Bhopal said that media plays a key role in communicating science to farmers in modern farming techniques and agriculture operations for benefiting the farmers.
Prof. B.K. khutiala, Vice Chancellor, Makhanlal Chaturvedi National University, Mr. Ranjan Mukherjee Additional Director General, Prasar Bharti, and Dr. P.J. Sudhakar, ADG, PIB Bhopal are at the media workshop on “communicating Science & Biosafety” Makhanlal Chaturvedi National University, in Bhopal today.
The Green Revolution, India is a big success story in agriculture sector. The scientific innovations and research should be over-all welfare of society. Radio is a mass media which popularize the hybrid varieties of rice which was known as ‘Radio Rice’. Bio safety also includes saving the man from the mankind. Media should search for the truth and it should have a truthful reporting and objectivity. Speaking on the occasion, Dr. P.J. Sudhakar, Addl. Director General of PIB, Bhopal said that the government has taken several measures on bio safety which includes setting up of Institutional Bio Safety Committee on Recombinant DNA (IBSE), Review Committee on Genetic manipulation and Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee. The Bio safety regulatory system is governed by rules under the Environment Protection Act, 1986.
Mr. Ranjan Mukherjee Additional Director General, Prasar Bharti, is addressing the media workshop on “communicating Science & Biosafety” Makhanlal Chaturvedi National University, in Bhopal today.
The biological warfare should not happen for the betterment of the society and world. The Cartagena Protocol for bio-safety of United Nations framed important guidelines for the biosecurity and biosafety. Indian parliament passed several legislations like Plant Varieties and Farmer’s Rights Act, Geographical Indications Goods Act and Bio-Diversity Act for fulfilling the obligations of UN Convention on bio-diversity. Prof. Geeta Bamezai of IIMC explained the objectives of the workshop.
Dr. P.J. Sudhakar, ADG, PIB Bhopal is addressing the media workshop on “communicating Science & Biosafety” Makhanlal Chaturvedi National University, in Bhopal today.
Dr. P. Sasikala, HOD, New Media Technology, MCNUJ&C welcomed the gathering. Dr. Anand Pradhan proposed the Vote of Thanks. The two day workshop is organized by Indian Institute of Mass Communication with the collaboration of Ministry of Environment & Forest and Climate Change. UNEP (United Nations Environment Program) and GEF (Global Environment Facility) are the international organizations that are associated with the project. Dr. Rayies Altaf, Project Coordinator of IIMC also participated in the workshop.

Price Stabilisation Fund

Union Agriculture Minister Shri Radha Mohan Singh while inaugurating National Conference on The Department of Agriculture & Cooperation has approved the Price Stabilisation Fund (PSF) as a Central Sector Scheme, with a corpus of Rs.500 crores, to support market interventions forprice control of perishable agri-horticultural commodities.
PSF will be used to advance interest free loan to State Governments and Central agencies to support their working capital and other expenses on procurement and distribution interventions for such commodities. For this purpose, the States will set up a revolving fund to which Centre and State will contribute equally (50:50).
The ratio of Centre-State contribution to the State level corpus in respect of North East States will however be 75:25. The revolving fund is being mooted so that requirements for all future interventions can be decided and met with at the State level itself. Central Agencies will, however, set up their revolving fund entirely with the advance from the Centre.
Procurement of these commodities will be undertaken directly from farmers or farmers’ organizations at farm gate/mandi and made available at a more reasonable price to the consumers. Initially the fund is proposed to be used for onion and potato only. Losses incurred, if any, in the operations will be shared between the Centre and the States.
Detailed guidelines for the scheme have now been approved and are available on the departmental website www.agricoop.nic.in .

Concerted Efforts Needed to Produce Clean Spices at Competitive Prices says Radha Mohan Singh

Union Agriculture Minister Shri Radha Mohan Singh while inaugurating National Conference on Development and Export of Spices in Pusa campus, New Delhi today, said that concerted efforts are needed to produce clean spices at competitive prices in order to sustain India’s share in world market speaking on the occasion he said that. Spices farmers have been facing the problem of low productivity, fluctuating prices coupled with biotic and abiotic stress resulting in low farm income. However, efforts of diversification, unfolding of nutraceutical and health benefit of spices and farming system models have provided better opportunity for improving income from spices, he added.
Shri Singh said that ICAR-Indian Institute of Spices Research Calicut and National Research Centre on Seed Spices Ajmer have pioneered in developing a number of high yielding varieties and production technologies.
Shri Radha Mohan Singh said that Spices Board under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry has been spearheading activities for excellence of Indian spices with respect to quality and hygiene of high level. The Board functions as an important link between the Indian exporters and the importers abroad and supports Indian spices brand building amongst the importing countries which is really needed to realize the slogan of Brand India and Make in India, he added.
Referring to India’s status in World Spice Trade, Shri Singh said that the export earnings showed a spectacular growth during the period from 2005-06 to 2013-14 as the earning increased from 592.9 million US $ to 2267.67 million US $. The volume of spices exported increased from 350,363 metric tons in 2005-06 to 817,250 metric tons in 2013-14.
Shri Singh said that Spices have been playing an important role in the Indian agrarian economy as it accounts for 5% of the agriculture GDP of the country. The agro-climatic conditions in the country provide an ideal habitat for the natural growth of various spices. There is a long list of 75 spices grown in India but chillies, black pepper, ginger, turmeric, cardamom, cloves, nutmeg, coriander, saffron and cumin are commercially more important. Shri Singh said that today, India is the largest producer, consumer and exporter of spices in the world.

PM urges fast-tracking of pro-farmer initiatives, chairs high-level meeting on PradhanMantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana

In yet another initiative aimed at benefiting farmers, the Prime Minister has asked concernedDepartments and Ministries of the Union Government to fast-track the Pradhan Mantri KrishiSinchai Yojana. Today's meeting follows yesterday's decision by the Union Cabinet, in whichamendments to the Land Acquisition Act, 2013, were cleared. The amendments include thepro-farmer step of bringing 13 most frequently used Acts for Land
Acquisition for the CentralGovernment Projects into the purview of the Land Acquisition Act, thus benefiting a largenumber of farmers whose land is acquired for such projects. Chairing a high-level meeting involving the Ministries of Agriculture, Water Resources, RuralDevelopment, the Prime Minister called for a multi-pronged approach to the ultimate goal ofproviding irrigation for every farm through the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana. The Prime Minister noted that NREGA had been used over the past few years for creation andaugmentation of irrigation assets. He said that NREGA should be integrated with the overallplan of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana.
He also called for precise monitoring ofoutcomes in this regard. At the macro-level, the Prime Minister asked the Ministry of Water Resources to identify river-interlinking projects that could be immediately taken up. The Prime Minister called for comprehensive mapping and identification of water bodiesacross the country.
He said satellite imagery and 3D photography could be used to guidevillages to best possible sources of irrigation.
The Prime Minister has asked concerned departments to look into the possibility of identifyingprogressive farmers, who could take the lead in implementing water conservation andinnovative irrigation techniques.
The Prime Minister has also called for integrating water recycling projects of key towns andcities, to irrigation in nearby rural areas. He emphasized the importance of generatingconsciousness among people towards water conservation. The Union Minister for Water Resources, Ms. Uma Bharati, and the Union Minister forAgriculture, Shri Radha Mohan Singh, were present on the occasion.
INDIAN AGRICULTURE AT A GLANCE
* Agriculture continues to be the backbone of Indian economy.
* Agriculture sector employs 54.6% of the total workforce.
* The total Share of Agriculture & Allied Sectors (Including Agriculture, Livestock, forestry and fishery sub sectors) in terms of percentage of Gross Domestic Product is 13.9 percent during 2013-14 at 2004-05 prices. [As per the estimates released by Central Statistics Office]
* For the 12th Plan (2012-17), a growth target of 4 percent has been set for the Agriculture Sector
* As per the 4th Advance Estimates of Production of food grains for 2013-14, total food grain production is estimated to be 264.77 Million Tonnes.
GROWTH STRATEGY
In order to keep up the momentum gained during the 11th Plan and achieve the targeted growth rate of 4% during the 12th Five Year Plan as also the ensure focused approach and to avoid overlap, all the ongoing 51 schemes of the Department have been restructured into five missions viz. National Food Security Mission (NFSM), Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture Mission (MIDH), National Mission on Oil Seed and Oil Palm (NMOOP), National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA), and National Mission on Agricultural

Extension & Technology (NMAET); five Central Sector Schemes viz. National Crop Insurance Programme (NCIP), Intergrated Scheme on Agri-Census & Statistics (ISAC&S), Integrated Scheme of Agriculture Marketing (ISAM), Integrated Scheme of Agriculture Cooperation (ISAC) and Secretariat Economic Service; and one State Plan Scheme viz. Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana.
Recognizing the importance of Agriculture Sector, the Government during the budget 2014-15 took a number of steps for sustainable development of Agriculture. These steps include enhanced institutional credit to farmers; promotion of scientific warehousing infrastructure including cold storages and cold chains in the country for increasing shelf life of agricultural produce; Improved access to irrigation through Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sichayee Yojana; provision of Price Stabilisation Fund to mitigate price volatality in agricultural produce; Mission mode scheme for Soil Health Card; Setting up of Agri-tech Infrastructure fund for making farming competitive and profitable; provide institutional finance to joint farming groups of “Bhoomi Heen Kisan” through NABARD; development of indigenous cattle breeds and promoting inland fisheries and other non-farm activities to supplement the income of farmers.
Details of the Initiatives are as follows:
* Rashtriya Gokul Mission
India ranks first among the world’s milk producing Nations are such 1998 and milk production peaked at 137.97 million tonnes in 2013-14. India has the largest bovine population in the world. The bovine genetic resource of India is represented by 37 well recognized indigenous Breeds of cattle and 13 breeds of buffaloes. Indigenous bovines are robust and resilient and are particularly suited to the climate and environment of their respective breeding tracts. Rashtriya Gokul Mission a project under the National Program for Bovine Breeding and Dairy Development is being launched with the objective of conserving and developing indigenous Breeds in a focused and scientific manner. The potential to enhance the productivity of the indigenous breeds through professional farm management and superior nutrition, as well as gradation of indigenous bovine germplasm will be done with an outlay of Rs. 550 crores.
* Rail Milk Network
In order to promote Agri Rail Network for transportation of milk, overs have been placed by AMUL and NDDB on behalf of Dairy Cooperative Federations for procurement of 36 new Rail Milk Tankers and will be made available by Railways. This will help in movement of milk from milk surplus areas to areas of demand providing dairy farmers with greater market areas.
* An allocation of Rs. 50 crore for development of indigenous cattle breed has been provided.
* ‘Blue Revolution’ for development of inland fisheries being initiated with a sum of Rs. 50 crore
* Target for providing institutional agricultural credit to farmers during 2014-15 has been enhanced to Rs. 8 lakh crore which is expected to surpass.
* Agriculture credit at a concessional rate of 7% with an interest subvention of 3% for timely repayment will continue during 2014-15.
* An allocation of Rs. 5,000 crore for 2014-15 has been made for scientific warehousing infrastructure for increasing shelf life of agricultural produce and thereby increasing the earning capacity of farmers.
* A higher allocation of Rs. 25,000 crore has been made to the corpus of Rural Infrastructure Development Fund during 2014-15 which helps in creation of infrastructure in agriculture and rural sectors.
* An initial corpus of Rs. 4,000 crore is being created to set up long term rural credit fund in NABARD to give a boost to long term investment credit in agriculture.
* For ensuring increased and uninterrupted credit flow to farmers and to avoid high cost market borrowings by NABARD an amount of Rs. 50,000 crore during 2014-15 has been made for Short Term Cooperative Rural Credit (STCRC-refinance fund).
* To improve access to irrigation, Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sichayee Yojana has been initiated with a sum of Rs. 1,000 crore in the year 2014-15.
* To mitigate price volatility in the agricultural produce a sum of Rs. 500 crore has been provided for Price Stabilization Fund.
* Government has initiated a scheme for Soil Health Card for every farmer in a mission mode with an initial allocation of Rs. 100 crore in 2014-15.
* An additional amount of Rs. 56 crore has been made to set up 100 mobile soil testing laboratories countrywide.
* National Adaptation Fund for climate change has been established with an initial allocation of Rs. 100 crore.
* To protect landless farmers from money lenders 5 lakh joint farming groups of Bhoomiheen Kisan will be financed through NABARD in the current financial year.
* A Kisan TV - Channel dedicated to agriculture will be launched with the initial allocation of Rs. 100 crores in the current financial year.
* An initial allocation of Rs. 200 crore has been allocated for establishing Agriculture Universities in Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan and Horticulture Universities in Telangana and Haryana.
* An allocation of Rs. 100 crore has been made in the current financial year for setting up of two institutions of excellence in Assam and Jharkhand which will be at par with Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Pusa.
* An allocation of Rs.100 crore is made for 2014-15 for setting up Agri-tech Infrastructure Fund with a view to increasing public and private investments in agriculture and making farming competitive and profitable.
* Various initiatives taken by Government to support agriculture and allied sectors is to sustain the growth rate at 4%.
* In order to increase profitability for small and marginal farmers, Rs. 200 crore has been earmarked for setting up of 2000 Farmer Producer Organisations.
* Wage employment under MGNREGA will be mainly used for more productive asset creation substantially linked to agriculture & allied activities.
* Sum of Rs. 14,389 crore for Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana for 2014-15 which will improve access for rural population including farmers.
* With a view to promoting farmers and consumers interest setting up of a national market will be accelerated by encouraging States to modify their APMC Act and other market reforms.
* With a view to develop commercial organic farming in the North Eastern Region a sum of Rs. 100 crore has been allocated.
Central Government recognizes and discharges its responsibility to assist State Governments in overall development of Agriculture sector.
Effective policy measures are in position to improve agricultural production and productivity and address problems of farmers. State Governments are also impressed upon to allocate adequate funds for development of agriculture sector in State plan, as well as initiate other measures required for achieving targeted agricultural growth rate and address problem of farmers.

Year end Review for the Ministry of Agriculture for the Year 2014-15

The Immediate challenge to the Ministry of Agriculture when the new Government had taken over, was to sustain the increasing agricultural output of the country in the face of impending deficit rainfall in this year 2014-15. All the requisite preparatory measures were made in coordination with the State governments to have the District-wise contingency action plans in place and to bring in flexibility in the various schemes in order that the States are enabled to cope with any desired changes in the Approved Action Plans for tackling the situation arising out of deficit rainfall.
With the perspective the Central Research Institute for Dry Land Agriculture (CRIDA) in collaboration with State Agricultural Universities and the State Governments has prepared crop contingency plans in respect of 576 districts across the country. Further, all necessary and appropriate steps have been taken to meet the seed and fertilizer requirement and to disseminate information and on suitable farming practices to be followed in such a situation.
INDIAN AGRICULTURE AT A GLANCE
* Agriculture continues to be the backbone of Indian economy.
* Agriculture sector employs 54.6% of the total workforce.
* The total Share of Agriculture & Allied Sectors (Including Agriculture, Livestock, forestry and fishery sub sectors) in terms of percentage of Gross Domestic Product is 13.9 percent during 2013-14 at 2004-05 prices. [As per the estimates released by Central Statistics Office]
* For the 12th Plan (2012-17), a growth target of 4 percent has been set for the Agriculture Sector
* As per the 4th Advance Estimates of Production of food grains for 2013-14, total food grain production is estimated to be 264.77 Million Tonnes.
GROWTH STRATEGY
In order to keep up the momentum gained during the 11th Plan and achieve the targeted growth rate of 4% during the 12th Five Year Plan as also the ensure focused approach and to avoid overlap, all the ongoing 51 schemes of the Department have been restructured into five missions viz. National Food Security Mission (NFSM), Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture Mission (MIDH), National Mission on Oil Seed and Oil Palm (NMOOP), National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA), and National Mission on Agricultural

Extension & Technology (NMAET); five Central Sector Schemes viz. National Crop Insurance Programme (NCIP), Intergrated Scheme on Agri-Census & Statistics (ISAC&S), Integrated Scheme of Agriculture Marketing (ISAM), Integrated Scheme of Agriculture Cooperation (ISAC) and Secretariat Economic Service; and one State Plan Scheme viz. Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana.
Recognizing the importance of Agriculture Sector, the Government during the budget 2014-15 took a number of steps for sustainable development of Agriculture. These steps include enhanced institutional credit to farmers; promotion of scientific warehousing infrastructure including cold storages and cold chains in the country for increasing shelf life of agricultural produce; Improved access to irrigation through Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sichayee Yojana; provision of Price Stabilisation Fund to mitigate price volatality in agricultural produce; Mission mode scheme for Soil Health Card; Setting up of Agri-tech Infrastructure fund for making farming competitive and profitable; provide institutional finance to joint farming groups of “Bhoomi Heen Kisan” through NABARD; development of indigenous cattle breeds and promoting inland fisheries and other non-farm activities to supplement the income of farmers.
Details of the Initiatives are as follows:
* Rashtriya Gokul Mission
India ranks first among the world’s milk producing Nations are such 1998 and milk production peaked at 137.97 million tonnes in 2013-14. India has the largest bovine population in the world. The bovine genetic resource of India is represented by 37 well recognized indigenous Breeds of cattle and 13 breeds of buffaloes. Indigenous bovines are robust and resilient and are particularly suited to the climate and environment of their respective breeding tracts. Rashtriya Gokul Mission a project under the National Program for Bovine Breeding and Dairy Development is being launched with the objective of conserving and developing indigenous Breeds in a focused and scientific manner. The potential to enhance the productivity of the indigenous breeds through professional farm management and superior nutrition, as well as gradation of indigenous bovine germplasm will be done with an outlay of Rs. 550 crores.
* Rail Milk Network
In order to promote Agri Rail Network for transportation of milk, overs have been placed by AMUL and NDDB on behalf of Dairy Cooperative Federations for procurement of 36 new Rail Milk Tankers and will be made available by Railways. This will help in movement of milk from milk surplus areas to areas of demand providing dairy farmers with greater market areas.
* An allocation of Rs. 50 crore for development of indigenous cattle breed has been provided.
* ‘Blue Revolution’ for development of inland fisheries being initiated with a sum of Rs. 50 crore
* Target for providing institutional agricultural credit to farmers during 2014-15 has been enhanced to Rs. 8 lakh crore which is expected to surpass.
* Agriculture credit at a concessional rate of 7% with an interest subvention of 3% for timely repayment will continue during 2014-15.
* An allocation of Rs. 5,000 crore for 2014-15 has been made for scientific warehousing infrastructure for increasing shelf life of agricultural produce and thereby increasing the earning capacity of farmers.
* A higher allocation of Rs. 25,000 crore has been made to the corpus of Rural Infrastructure Development Fund during 2014-15 which helps in creation of infrastructure in agriculture and rural sectors.
* An initial corpus of Rs. 4,000 crore is being created to set up long term rural credit fund in NABARD to give a boost to long term investment credit in agriculture.
* For ensuring increased and uninterrupted credit flow to farmers and to avoid high cost market borrowings by NABARD an amount of Rs. 50,000 crore during 2014-15 has been made for Short Term Cooperative Rural Credit (STCRC-refinance fund).
* To improve access to irrigation, Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sichayee Yojana has been initiated with a sum of Rs. 1,000 crore in the year 2014-15.
* To mitigate price volatility in the agricultural produce a sum of Rs. 500 crore has been provided for Price Stabilization Fund.
* Government has initiated a scheme for Soil Health Card for every farmer in a mission mode with an initial allocation of Rs. 100 crore in 2014-15.
* An additional amount of Rs. 56 crore has been made to set up 100 mobile soil testing laboratories countrywide.
* National Adaptation Fund for climate change has been established with an initial allocation of Rs. 100 crore.
* To protect landless farmers from money lenders 5 lakh joint farming groups of Bhoomiheen Kisan will be financed through NABARD in the current financial year.
* A Kisan TV - Channel dedicated to agriculture will be launched with the initial allocation of Rs. 100 crores in the current financial year.
* An initial allocation of Rs. 200 crore has been allocated for establishing Agriculture Universities in Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan and Horticulture Universities in Telangana and Haryana.
* An allocation of Rs. 100 crore has been made in the current financial year for setting up of two institutions of excellence in Assam and Jharkhand which will be at par with Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Pusa.
* An allocation of Rs.100 crore is made for 2014-15 for setting up Agri-tech Infrastructure Fund with a view to increasing public and private investments in agriculture and making farming competitive and profitable.
* Various initiatives taken by Government to support agriculture and allied sectors is to sustain the growth rate at 4%.
* In order to increase profitability for small and marginal farmers, Rs. 200 crore has been earmarked for setting up of 2000 Farmer Producer Organisations.
* Wage employment under MGNREGA will be mainly used for more productive asset creation substantially linked to agriculture & allied activities.
* Sum of Rs. 14,389 crore for Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana for 2014-15 which will improve access for rural population including farmers.
* With a view to promoting farmers and consumers interest setting up of a national market will be accelerated by encouraging States to modify their APMC Act and other market reforms.
* With a view to develop commercial organic farming in the North Eastern Region a sum of Rs. 100 crore has been allocated.
Central Government recognizes and discharges its responsibility to assist State Governments in overall development of Agriculture sector.
Effective policy measures are in position to improve agricultural production and productivity and address problems of farmers. State Governments are also impressed upon to allocate adequate funds for development of agriculture sector in State plan, as well as initiate other measures required for achieving targeted agricultural growth rate and address problem of farmers.

AgriCon 2014 Conference on Farm Mechanization & Post Harvest Technologies

I take pleasure in informing that the Tamil Nadu Technology Development & Promotion Center of CII is organizing the third edition of AgriCon 2014: Conference on Farm Mechanization & Post Harvest Technologies on 19th December 2014 at Hotel Hilton, Chennai.
In the context of increasing commercialization of agriculture, farm mechanization has been helpful to bring about a significant improvement in agricultural productivity. The factors that justify the strengthening of farm mechanization in the country can be numerous. The present trend in agricultural mechanization is for high capacity machines through custom hiring and for contractual field operations. The pace of farm mechanization in the country accelerated with the manufacture of agricultural equipment by the local industries. However, mechanization of horticulture, plantation crops and commercial agriculture is yet to be introduced in the country. In future this calls for developing appropriate technologies for mechanization.
The conference attempts to support this growth and understand the trends in farm mechanization and post harvest management. The conference aims to focus on key growth parameters like technology innovation, new products, new markets, next-generation technology, & implications for allied industries.
We have invited Thiru. Agri SS Krishnamoorthy, Hon’ble Minister for Agriculture, Government of Tamil Nadu to deliver the Inaugural Address at the conference Inaugural Session. Prominent speakers already confirmed includes
· Mr. Rajesh Lakhoni, IAS, Secretary & Agricultural Production Commissioner, Government of Tamil Nadu
· Mr. A Padmasingh Isaac, Chairman & Managing Director, AACHI Group of Companies
· Mr. Menahem Kanafi, Consul General of Israel – Bengaluru
· Mr. TR Kesavan, Chief Operating Officer, TAFE Limited
· Mr. KVSN Raju, President, ELICO Limited
· Mr. Sirish Batchu, Head - Infotronics Technology & Advance Electronics, Automotive & Farm Sectors, Mahindra & Mahindra
· Dr. S Narayanan, Senior Vice President, Jain Irrigation Systems Limited
· Mr. Gopinath Koneti, Executive Vice President & Head - South India, Food & Agribusiness Strategic Advisory & Research, YES Bank Limited
· Mr. Ashok Nair, Vice President – Operations, RML
· Lt. Col. Venkat Bollapragada, Associate Vice President & Zonal Head-South, Kirloskar Brothers Limited
· Mr. D Jayavijayan, Managing Director, Southern Agro Engines (P) Limited
· Mr. Prabhu Shankar, Managing Director, IAC Agro Engineering (P) Limited
Prominent speaker have been already invited includes Mr. Ashish Bahuguna, IAS, Secretary, Department of Agriculture & Cooperation, Ministry of Agriculture; Dr. K. Alagusundaram, Deputy Director General (Agricultural Engineering), ICAR; Mr. Satish Nadiger, Managing Director & CEO, John Deere India Private Limited; Mr. Sridar Narayanswami, Managing Director,
Emerson Climate Technologies; Dr. Lakshmi Narayanan, Whole Time Director, TStanes & Company Limited; Mr. Anil kumar Menon, Managing Director, GEA Farm Technologies; Mr. Rakesh Malhotra, Managing Director, New Holland Fiat (India) Pvt. Limited; Mr. Dinesh Khanna, Director (Marketing & Sales), KSB Pumps Limited; Mr. P Sudhir Kumar, Vice President, Frick India Limited; Mr. Harbans Lal, Director, Pennwalt; Mr. Ramachandran Sridhar, Whole Time Director, SHRIRAM Capital Limited; Mr. Randhir Chauhan, Managing Director, Netafim Irrigation India Pvt. Limited; Mr. Gurmeet Singh Grewal, Country Head, Kubota Agricultural Machinery India Pvt. Ltd
The conference aims to cover the key areas in the following sessions:
· Session I Water and Soil Management
· Session II: Emerging Technologies in Mechanized Agriculture
· Session III: Structure and Control Environment Technology
· Session IV: Smart Farming
Around 200 senior management personnel representing Industry leaders & senior executives of leading manufacturers of agriculture machinery companies, ICT Companies, agro based companies, agricultural universities, central universities and labs, fresh produce exporters; progressive farmers; retail chains and government agencies are expected to attend this conference.
I am writing you to invite you to participate and also nominate senior colleagues from your organization to attend this important conference. Please confirm your participation / nominations by completing the enclosed registration form and sending it to us by fax/email at the earliest.
Click here to register online : http://tntdpc.com/agricon_2014/register.php
For more details about conference registration and sponsorship please contact Mr. Hariharan TP @ Mob. 09788790347 / hariharan.tp@cii.in I look forward to your participation.
With regards,
S Chandramohan
Conference Chairman – AgriCon 2014 President & Group CFO TAFE Limited

FARMER WELFARE FUND WILL BE CREATED
Shivraj Singh Chouhan
CM of MadhyaPradesh Reviews Agriculture development and Farmer welfare department.