Seeds for a Bright Future

What improved irrigation has done for agriculture in the state, investment in roads has done for infrastructure

Agriculture, the major economic activity in Madhya Pradesh, recorded an average 10 per cent plus growth rate in the past decade, justifying the most improved state award in the category. A variety of factors contributed to agriculture growing at a higher rate in the state. A large part of the cultivated area that had hitherto not been irrigated has now been covered. The extension of canal networks and completion of dam projects means about 45 per cent of the 25 million hectares of total cultivable area is now being irrigated. Also, with ample power available for the farm sector, ground water is being tapped. So, farmers are now free to choose high-yielding varieties of seed that has led to enhanced production. The extension of credit at zero per cent interest has also had a role in pushing up farm incomes.

Selection of new crop types, such as Basmati paddy has also enhanced incomes. State agriculture department data says some 2.46 million hectares is under paddy cultivation this year, of which an estimated 300,000 hectares in the districts of Raisen, Bhopal, Harda, Hoshangabad, Sehore and Narsinghpur is under Basmati cultivation. A part of the Basmati crop is also exported, helping farmers fetch a better price for their produce.

The Bhaavantar Bhugtaan Yojana of the previous government—which involved payment of difference between price received by the farmer and MSP for the produce—may have had only partial success but one cannot find fault with its aim of protecting farmers from price fluctuations. The bonus payment at the time of wheat procurement also encouraged farmers to bring in more area under wheat cultivation.

MP was a major wheat producer (20.8 million tonnes) and the top pro