National prosperity will come through agricultural development; every state should organize Agri-Industry Summits like Madhya Pradesh: Vice President Shri Dhankhar

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar stated that agriculture is the foundation of India’s economy and the basis of the nation’s progress. Continuous development and innovation in the agricultural sector are essential for national prosperity. The well-being of our farmers, the providers of food to the nation, directly reflects the well-being of India.

He was addressing the inauguration of the Agri-Industry Summit 2025 on Monday at the Narsinghpur district headquarters. Vice President Dhankhar, Governor Shri Mangubhai Patel, and Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav formally inaugurated the three-day summit (May 26–28) with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp, Kanya Pujan, and floral tributes to Lord Balaram. Dr. (Mrs.) Sudesh Dhankhar was also present on the occasion.

Chief Minister’s Initiative is worth Emulating

The Vice President congratulated Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav for organizing the summit and said this initiative should be replicated in other states. He praised farmers as the backbone of the Indian economy and commended their invaluable contributions. He lauded Dr. Yadav as a hardworking and dedicated leader who is deeply committed to rural and agricultural development.

Shri Dhankhar highlighted Madhya Pradesh’s innovative efforts in connecting villages, farmers, and industries and expressed hope that every state in the country would follow Madhya Pradesh's example. He also informed that the Union Ministry of Agriculture is organizing a large-scale agriculture-focused event in New Delhi from May 29 to June 12.

He emphasized that India’s journey towards becoming a developed nation begins in its villages and fields. Farmers must move beyond crop production and explore food processing, marketing, and trade. He called for local MPs and MLAs to adopt villages and support farmers in becoming agri-entrepreneurs. With 720 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) working under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), he stressed the importance of integrating technology with farming.

Shri Dhankhar proudly noted that India has emerged as the world’s fourth-largest economy, surpassing Japan, and is soon to overtake Germany for third place.

10 Crore Farmers Benefited Under PM-Kisan Yojana

The Vice President shared that 10 crore farmers across India have benefited from the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi, with ₹3.46 lakh crore transferred directly into their accounts. He emphasized that Madhya Pradesh must lead the nation in dairy, fruit, and vegetable production, stating that agriculture must be seen as an industry, not merely as traditional farming. He also praised the empowerment of women through their leadership roles in district panchayats.

He noted India’s firm response to terrorism under Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, citing Operation Sindoor as a historic retaliation for the Pahalgam terrorist attack, where Indian forces accurately targeted and destroyed terrorist bases in Pakistan. Shri Dhankhar said this decisive action symbolizes the strength of the new India.

Agricultural Fairs are Benefiting Farmers

Governor Shri Mangubhai Patel remarked that Narsinghpur is a key center of Madhya Pradesh's spiritual heritage, home to the renowned Makar Sankranti fair at Barman on the banks of the Narmada River. He noted that agricultural fairs and summits are greatly benefiting farmers in the state, and appreciated Chief Minister Dr. Yadav’s constant efforts for farmer welfare. He acknowledged the crucial partnership between hardworking farmers and innovative scientists in strengthening India's food security.

Madhya Pradesh is a Flourishing Agricultural State

Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav stated that Madhya Pradesh is blessed in terms of agriculture and has earned the name Shasya Shyamala (verdant with crops). He highlighted Narsinghpur as the "Bowl of Pulses," noting that its toor dal has received a GI tag and gained national recognition. He affirmed the state’s commitment to increasing farmer incomes under Prime Minister Modi’s guidance.

Dr. Yadav emphasized that Madhya Pradesh is the source of 247 rivers, the highest in the country, and that it is rich in forests and water resources. The Narmada River, which originates in the state, also supports Gujarat and Rajasthan. He discussed efforts to link rivers across regions, including the Ken-Betwa River Link Project in Bundelkhand and national-level river-link projects like Parvati-Kalisindh-Chambal and Tapi Mega Recharge.

Agricultural Fairs to Improve Farmers’ Lives

Chief Minister Yadav highlighted that Madhya Pradesh ranks second in wheat production in India and procured wheat from farmers at ₹2,600 per quintal. The state is working in mission mode to improve farmer lives through modern agricultural techniques and innovations.

Under Prime Minister Modi's vision of “GYAN”, the state has launched four missions focusing on the empowerment of the poor, youth, women, and farmers. The Kisan Kalyan Mission is a major initiative under this vision. The government has launched a plan to distribute 32 lakh solar pumps, providing 90% subsidy to farmers. Modern agricultural machinery is also being given on subsidy through farmer fairs to promote prosperity.

Food Parks in Narsinghpur, Chhindwara, and Mandla

To promote agri-based industries, the state government is developing food parks 102 hectares in Narsinghpur, 40 units in Borgoan (Chhindwara), and 40 units in Maneri (Mandla). Soon, Madhya Pradesh will see the rise of agro-industries worth ₹1,300 crore. The Global Investors Summit 2025 brought in industrial investment proposals worth over ₹30 lakh crore, projected to create 22 lakh new jobs. The per capita income in the state has now reached ₹1.52 lakh.

The Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Kamdhenu Yojana has been launched to promote dairy production, offering 25% subsidy to farmers for keeping 25 to 200 cows or buffaloes. The goal is to raise the state's contribution to national milk production from 9% to 20%.

State-Level Agri-Industry Summit to be Held in Sehore

Dr. Yadav shared that the first agri fair was held in Sitamau (Mandsaur), followed by Mahakaushal’s Agri-Industry Summit in Narsinghpur. The third fair will be in Satna (July) and the fourth in Morena (Chambal region). A state-level summit will be held in Sehore near Bhopal from October 12 to 14.

Three-Day Summit in Narsinghpur to Continue Till May 28

The ongoing Agri-Industry Summit in Narsinghpur aims to integrate the state's agri-based economy with processing, value addition, innovation, investment, and employment. During the inaugural session, 86 development projects worth over ₹116 crore were inaugurated or had their foundation stones laid.

Vice President Dhankhar and Chief Minister Yadav also honored farmers engaged in organic farming with certificates of recognition. The Vice President inaugurated a grand exhibition of new agricultural technologies and visited various stalls set up by departments.

Panchayat and Rural Development Minister Shri Prahlad Patel welcomed dignitaries and said the farmers of Narsinghpur are truly prosperous due to the blessings of River Narmada, which flows for 123 km in the district. School Education and Transport Minister Shri Uday Pratap Singh delivered the vote of thanks.

Also present were Food and Civil Supplies Minister Shri Govind Singh Rajput (also in charge of Narsinghpur district), Agriculture Minister Shri Edal Singh Kanshana, Horticulture and Food Processing Minister Shri Narayan Singh Kushwaha, MPs Shri Faggan Singh Kulaste and Shri Darshan Singh Chaudhary, Rajya Sabha MP Smt. Maya Narolia, MLA Shri Vishwanath Singh, and a large number of farmers and rural residents.