Madhya Pradesh declares 2026 as Agriculture Year, links farm growth with highways and tourism push

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has announced that 2026 will be observed as Agriculture Year, unveiling a three-year strategic roadmap focused on boosting farm incomes, expanding rural employment and modernising the state’s agrarian economy.

The announcement was made during a high-level review meeting in Bhopal, where the Chief Minister stressed that agriculture-led growth must deliver measurable income gains and sustainable livelihoods, not just policy targets.

What the Agriculture Year roadmap includes

According to officials present at the meeting, the state’s agriculture initiatives for 2026 will be outcome-driven, with a strong emphasis on productivity and market access.

Key focus areas include farm mechanisation, skill training, exposure visits, and easy access to low-interest credit. The government also plans to expand farmer producer organisations, promote horticulture and food processing units, and support value-added agriculture.

The Chief Minister underlined the need to strengthen research, innovation and digital tools in farming so that Madhya Pradesh gains national and global visibility in agri best practices.

Climate resilience and traditional knowledge in focus

A major pillar of the roadmap is <u>climate-resilient and sustainable agriculture</u>. The state will step up efforts to promote millets, natural and organic farming, biodiversity conservation, and traditional farming knowledge systems.

Officials said these measures are aimed at reducing climate risk while ensuring long-term soil and income security for farmers.

To accelerate learning, farmers will be encouraged to visit advanced agriculture regions within India and countries such as Israel and Brazil, where high-efficiency farming models are already in use.

Floriculture expansion and global ambitions

The government will promote floriculture in all districts, with Bhopal’s Rose Festival set to be expanded into a larger flower festival. This move is aligned with preparations for the proposed International Rose Competition in 2028, which the state hopes will attract global attention and tourism.

Atal Progress-Way flagged for fast-track execution

Alongside agriculture reforms, CM Mohan Yadav pushed for faster execution of the Atal Progress-Way, calling road connectivity a foundation for regional development.

The highway project is expected to significantly improve access for Morena, Sheopur and Bhind, linking them to the Delhi–Vadodara Expressway and the Agra–Lucknow Highway. Officials said this will sharply cut travel time to New Delhi, Mumbai, Kota and Kanpur.

<u>Speedy completion of the project with farmer consent during land acquisition</u> was specifically directed, signalling sensitivity to local concerns.

Economic and tourism impact

Government estimates suggest the improved road network could boost industry, trade, tourism and overall mobility in the Chambal region.

In a parallel tourism push, the Chief Minister proposed developing the Pench–Kanha–Bandhavgarh–Panna route as a 625-km tiger tourism corridor, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of sustainable wildlife tourism.

Experts note that combining agriculture reform, logistics and tourism could create a multiplier effect for rural incomes if implementation stays on track.