CNN Central News and Network–ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: A detailed review meeting of agriculture and allied departments was held under the chairmanship of Collector Priyank Mishra at the National Agricultural Extension and Training Institute (CEAT), Barkhedi Kalan, to make Krishak Kalyan Varsh-2026 a successful mass movement and to promote farmers’ income growth, agricultural productivity and self-reliance. Representatives from the agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry, fisheries and cooperation departments, NABARD, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), progressive farmers and various committees participated in the meeting.
Addressing the meeting, Collector Mishra said the inclusion of modern technologies, innovations and scientific methods in the agriculture sector is the need of the hour. He said progressive farmers can not only increase productivity by adopting new technologies, but can also develop agriculture into a profitable and sustainable enterprise and achieve economic self-reliance. He directed officials to prepare department-wise monthly action plans with special focus on the indicators fixed by the government for Krishak Kalyan Varsh-2026 and ensure timely achievement of targets.
Under the Dharti Mata Bachao campaign, Collector Mishra interacted with farmers doing outstanding work in narwai management in the district and appreciated their efforts. He directed that such farmers be encouraged to spread awareness among FPO clusters in their respective areas and among other farmers. He also directed regular meetings of village-level committees to increase public awareness about narwai management and said inspirational videos of farmers adopting innovations should be prepared and widely publicised.
He made it clear that installation of a Straw Management System in all combine harvesters operating in the district will be mandatory. If crop harvesting is carried out without a Straw Management System, action will be taken against the concerned harvester operators as per rules. Special emphasis was also laid on making farmers aware of the environmental damage caused by stubble burning and its adverse impact on soil fertility.
The meeting stressed ensuring registration on the J-Farm app of agricultural equipment and farm drones available with farmers and custom hiring centres to promote farm mechanisation and digital agriculture. Collector Mishra said this would make the system of providing modern agricultural equipment on rent to farmers more effective and extend the benefits of technology to a larger number of cultivators. He directed officials to create Farmer IDs and connect farmers to the Agri-Stack platform, while giving priority to digitisation of agricultural services.
Preparations for the upcoming kharif season were also reviewed. Collector Mishra directed officials to ensure adequate availability of high-quality certified seeds, provide information on new and improved varieties to farmers through the Krishi Vigyan Kendra, and ensure regular training and field monitoring. Special emphasis was also laid on increasing the area under pulses, oilseeds and millet crops and motivating farmers towards diversified farming.
To promote the scientific use of agricultural residues, progressive farmers of Bhopal district were directed to establish coordination with concerned companies for setting up narwai-based waste-to-energy and compressed biogas (CBG) plants. The meeting also discussed selection of a lead Farmer Producer Organisation, distribution of improved seeds for summer crops and various measures to strengthen the agricultural value chain.
The meeting also stressed establishment of Bio-Resource Centres in selected clusters to promote organic and natural farming, development of micro-level cold storage for storage and marketing of agricultural produce, and work towards conservation and promotion of traditional and special crops. Collector Mishra directed identification of potential local crops and indigenous grains for GI tagging and necessary follow-up action.
Under the Natural Farming Mission, discussions were also held on encouraging farmers for cattle rearing, developing new milk routes through Sanchi Dugdh Sangh and promoting the possibilities of agricultural tourism. In addition, there was agreement on achieving targets under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana, effective implementation of integrated water management projects, expansion of water conservation activities and weekly review of indicators fixed under Krishak Kalyan Varsh-2026. Special emphasis was also laid on preparing a three-year agricultural development action plan.
Among those present at the meeting were Chief Deputy Director, Farmers and Agriculture Welfare Department, Suman Prasad; NABARD representative Jagpreet; Assistant Director, Horticulture, Rajkumar Sagar; Assistant Director, Fisheries Department, Shirish Agnihotri; officials of various departments; members of constituted committees; Farmer Producer Organisations; and a large number of progressive farmers.
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