CM Mohan Yadav highlights technology, food processing and irrigation for farmers; administration reviews youth, entrepreneurship, natural farming and legal aid initiatives

JABALPUR, September 30, 2026: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav has emphasised the need to expand modern agricultural technology, irrigation, food processing and allied activities to improve farmers’ income and strengthen the rural economy.

Addressing the Balram Krishi Mahotsav in Umaria virtually from the state secretariat, Dr. Yadav said the government was undertaking several initiatives during the Farmer Welfare Year 2026, with a focus on technology-driven agriculture and value addition.

The state’s official agriculture material also identifies natural farming, solar-powered irrigation, food processing and agriculture-based industries among the key areas being promoted during the Farmer Welfare Year.

Food Processing Unit Planned for Umaria

Dr. Yadav said a major food processing unit is expected to come up in Umaria, creating new employment opportunities for local youth while providing farmers with additional avenues for value addition.

He stressed that irrigation remains crucial for productive agriculture and said the government was working towards improving access to water for villages and agricultural fields.

The Chief Minister also urged farmers to complete timely registration for procurement of paddy and Shree Anna crops so that they can avail themselves of the applicable Minimum Support Price arrangements.

According to the government release, farmers are also expected to receive 10 hours of daytime electricity from the current season.

Dr. Yadav directed the district administration to organise farmer outreach meetings and ensure that eligible beneficiaries receive the benefits of government welfare schemes.

Focus on Dairy, Horticulture and Natural Farming

The Chief Minister encouraged farmers to diversify their income through dairy farming, milk production, food processing, horticulture and natural farming.

He also asked officials to accelerate registration of milk collection committees at the panchayat level.

Farmers were urged to make use of facilities such as Custom Hiring Centres and solar pumps to improve access to agricultural machinery and energy-efficient irrigation.

Free Property Registration Under Welfare Initiative

Dr. Yadav said beneficiaries in rural residential areas were being provided access to free registration of property records under the Swamitva-related initiative.

He said properly documented property ownership could help beneficiaries use their property records for banking and other financial requirements.

The Chief Minister also highlighted education-related government initiatives, including assistance such as laptops and scooters for meritorious government-school students, free books, uniforms and bicycles for schoolchildren, and the establishment of Sandipani schools across the state.

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CM Calls for Stronger Action Against Drug Abuse Among Youth

2,706 cases registered in 2026; authorities report seizure of over 46,000 kg of narcotic substances up to August

Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav has directed district administrations and police authorities to intensify efforts to prevent drug abuse among young people, particularly by identifying and monitoring vulnerable locations in urban areas.

During a video conference with collectors and superintendents of police on the Drug-Free India campaign, the Chief Minister called for regular district-level meetings and coordinated action against the production, distribution, trafficking and consumption of narcotic substances.

The government presentation cited in the release stated that 2,706 cases had been registered in Madhya Pradesh during 2026, while 3,690 accused persons had been booked and more than 46,313 kg of narcotic substances seized up to August 2026.

Officials were directed to strengthen joint action by police and the excise department wherever necessary.

The administration is also working on measures including action against banned cough syrups, development of drug-free campuses within a 500-metre radius of educational institutions, greater involvement of community-level “Nasha Mukt Mitras” and strengthening district-level de-addiction centres.

A dedicated Drug-Free Helpline — 14446 has also been put in place.

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Government Loan Helps Jabalpur Youth Expand Business

Vivek Nema uses Mukhyamantri Udyam Kranti Yojana assistance to add a garment business to his electrical shop

A government entrepreneurship scheme has enabled 29-year-old Vivek Nema of Patan to expand his existing business and venture into a new line of work.

Nema, a commerce graduate, was already running an electrical equipment shop in Patan but was looking for additional capital to expand his business.

After learning about the Mukhyamantri Udyam Kranti Yojana, he applied for financial assistance and received a loan of approximately ₹8.50 lakh from Punjab National Bank’s Patan branch.

According to Nema, officials also explained the interest-related benefit available under the scheme, which helped make the financing option attractive for his expansion plans.

He has now started a garment business, focusing initially on understanding market demand and customer preferences.

Since the loan was obtained only around six months ago, Nema says it is still too early to assess the long-term profitability of the new venture.

He believes the scheme has provided him with an opportunity to build a second business alongside his existing electrical shop and is now working towards managing and expanding both ventures systematically.

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Jabalpur Farmer Turns to Natural Farming to Cut Costs and Restore Soil Health

Surendra Patel’s two-year experiment in chemical-free cultivation becomes a local example of sustainable agriculture

Surendra Kumar Patel, a progressive farmer from Mohaljhir village in Panagar block of Jabalpur district, has been adopting natural farming practices for nearly two years in an effort to reduce cultivation costs and improve soil health.

Faced with rising agricultural input costs, declining soil fertility and environmental concerns associated with excessive chemical use, Patel has completely stopped using chemical fertilisers and synthetic pesticides on his fields.

Instead, he prepares agricultural inputs using locally available natural resources.

He uses a mixture of indigenous cow dung, cow urine, jaggery, pulses or gram flour and other organic materials to prepare Jeevamrit for his crops.

For pest management, he prepares natural formulations using neem and extracts from locally available plants, including preparations referred to as Brahmastra.

By producing several farm inputs himself, Patel has reduced his dependence on costly market-based fertilisers and pesticides.

According to the account shared by the administration, the approach has also helped increase biological activity in the soil, including the presence of earthworms and microorganisms, while improving soil quality and water retention.

Patel believes wider adoption of locally available resources and natural farming techniques could help farmers reduce costs and move towards more sustainable agricultural practices.

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Legal Awareness Camp Reaches 265 Beneficiaries in Madhaikala

98 residents assisted with Aadhaar updates during mega legal aid and welfare outreach programme

A large-scale legal awareness and assistance camp was organised at the Government High School in Madhaikala village of Kundam tehsil on September 30 as part of the Mega Awareness and Outreach Camp/Drive.

The programme was conducted under the directions of the National Legal Services Authority, New Delhi, and the Madhya Pradesh State Legal Services Authority, Jabalpur.

The initiative aimed to improve access to legal assistance for people in rural and disadvantaged communities while connecting eligible residents with government welfare schemes.

Before the camp, a survey of families in the gram panchayat area was conducted to identify legal issues and determine eligibility for various government programmes.

Officials from different departments established information and assistance counters during the event.

As many as 98 eligible residents received assistance in preparing or updating their Aadhaar cards, while approximately 265 beneficiaries were facilitated in accessing various government welfare schemes.

The camp was attended by Shakti Verma, Secretary of the District Legal Services Authority and Judge; B.D. Dixit, District Legal Aid Officer; former District Judge and senior mediator S.N. Khare; Professor Pradeep Tiwari of Mangalayatan University, Jabalpur; Dr Vartika Pandey; around 30 law students; and officials from the local administration.

Officials from Janpad Panchayat Kundam and other concerned departments also participated in the outreach programme.

The initiative highlighted the role of coordinated legal and administrative outreach in taking justice, legal awareness and welfare services closer to rural communities.

(SDNA)