Balaghat Bureau
Summary: Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav on Sunday praised the farmers of Balaghat, saying the district has secured the first position in Madhya Pradesh with 60 lakh quintals of paddy procurement. Joining the Balram Krishi Mahotsav at the Gonglai agricultural produce market through video conferencing from Samatva Bhavan at the Chief Minister’s residence, he spoke directly to farmers and informed them that the registration portal for paddy procurement will remain open till 4 November.
Balaghat district of Madhya Pradesh has once again created a distinct identity for itself in the field of agriculture. Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav said on Sunday, 1 November 2026, that 60 lakh quintals of paddy were procured in the district this year, placing Balaghat at the first position in the entire state. Praising the hard work and progressive thinking of the district’s farmers, the Chief Minister said they have set a new example in farming.
The Chief Minister joined the Balram Krishi Mahotsav organised at the agricultural produce market in Gonglai, Balaghat, through video conferencing from Samatva Bhavan at the Chief Minister’s residence in Bhopal. During the programme, he spoke directly to progressive farmers from different villages of the district and took stock of their farming, animal husbandry and other activities. He also called upon farmers to adopt natural farming along with animal husbandry and fisheries, so that additional sources of income open up alongside agriculture.
The programme came at a time when the state government is observing the year 2026 as the Year of Farmer Welfare. On the occasion of the state foundation day and Diwali, the Chief Minister also extended greetings to the farmers of the state. The Balaghat programme is one link in the series of Balram Krishi Mahotsav events, through which farmers in different districts of the state are being engaged in direct dialogue and informed about advanced agricultural techniques.
Balaghat first in the state in paddy procurement
The Chief Minister said Balaghat has secured the first position in the state in paddy procurement. Sixty lakh quintals of paddy were procured in the district this year. This achievement has been described as the result of the hard work of the district’s farmers, their progressive thinking and their seriousness towards farming. The Chief Minister said the farmers of Balaghat have set a new example through their progressive thinking and have presented an example for farmers of other districts as well.
Paddy cultivation is considered the backbone of Balaghat’s economy. Most farmers in the district are paddy growers, and in the kharif season the paddy crop is the main basis of their income. Procurement at the minimum support price creates a system through which farmers get a fair price for their produce. The procurement figures also present a picture of the district’s agricultural activity under this system.
The Chief Minister said the government is continuously working to increase farmers’ incomes. Instead of dependence on a single crop, diversified farming, animal husbandry, fisheries and horticulture are being promoted, so that a farmer has more than one source of income and the impact of weather or market fluctuations is reduced.
Balram Krishi Mahotsav at Gonglai mandi, dialogue through video conferencing
The Balram Krishi Mahotsav was organised at the agricultural produce market in Gonglai, Balaghat. The Chief Minister joined the programme from Samatva Bhavan in Bhopal through video conferencing. During the programme, he spoke to the farmers present at the market yard and heard their problems, suggestions and farming experiences.
Several progressive farmers of the district held a warm dialogue with the Chief Minister during the programme. The farmers shared information about their farming methods, the condition of their crops and their efforts to increase income. Addressing the farmers, the Chief Minister said the Balram Krishi Mahotsav is proving helpful in strengthening the agricultural system of the district and increasing farmers’ incomes.
The objective of the Balram Krishi Mahotsav is to inform farmers about advanced farming techniques, new crops and alternative sources of income. Programmes of this festival have already been organised in other districts of the state, where farmers were engaged in direct dialogue and their concerns were heard. The Balaghat programme remained an important link in this series.
Why Balaghat is called the paddy bowl, Chinnor rice known across India and abroad
Balaghat is called the paddy bowl of Madhya Pradesh. The Chief Minister said the identity of the district is linked to its Chinnor rice. Chinnor rice is famous across the country for its aroma and quality, and it is exported to foreign countries as well. This is why Balaghat is called the paddy bowl of the state.
The aroma of Chinnor rice draws people towards it. This rice is part of Balaghat’s distinctive agricultural heritage and is connected to the identity of the district’s farmers. Apart from paddy, farmers of the district are also moving ahead in the production of coarse grains such as kodo. Cultivation of coarse grains is considered beneficial for farmers both in terms of nutrition and income.
The agricultural identity of the district is not limited to paddy alone. The soil, climate and experience of the farmers together create conditions in which other crops also do well alongside paddy. The government is also encouraging farmers towards diversified crops, so that dependence on a single crop reduces and the fertility of the soil is maintained.
Registration portal for paddy procurement open till 4 November
Giving relief to farmers, the Chief Minister informed them that the portal will remain open till 4 November for those farmers whose registration for paddy procurement at the support price was missed. Such farmers can complete their registration within the prescribed time limit. The Chief Minister said the registration portal has been reopened till 4 November because the registration of some farmers of Balaghat district was left out.
Registration is necessary to sell paddy at the minimum support price. Without registration, a farmer cannot sell his produce under the government procurement system. The extension of the registration deadline is therefore a relief for those farmers who could not register earlier for some reason. The Chief Minister appealed to farmers to complete their registration within the prescribed time limit, so that they can take part in the process of selling paddy at the support price.
Farmers have been informed that an AgriStack ID is required for registration. Sharecropper-category farmers can register by contacting the registration centre in-charge with the prescribed documents. Farmers have been advised not to wait for the last date and to register early, so that any technical difficulty can be resolved in time.
Interest-free loans of more than Rs 876 crore to over 1.29 lakh farmers
The Chief Minister informed that more than 1.29 lakh farmers of Balaghat district have been given interest-free loans of more than Rs 876 crore for agriculture, animal husbandry, fisheries and horticulture activities. This loan helps farmers with the cost of cultivation, starting animal husbandry and other agricultural activities. An interest-free loan means the farmer has to return only the principal amount and does not have to bear the burden of interest.
Such loan assistance is particularly important for small and medium farmers, because at the start of cultivation there is expenditure on seeds, fertiliser, equipment and irrigation. Timely loans enable a farmer to buy good quality seeds and fertiliser and to take better care of the crop. Loans for animal husbandry and fisheries also help a farmer build a second source of income.
The Chief Minister said the government’s effort is to free farmers from the clutches of moneylenders and connect them with the institutional loan system. The interest-free loan arrangement is a step in this direction. It reduces a farmer’s costs and increases his savings, which has a direct effect on the economic condition of his family.
Milk collection up from 3,500 to 10,000 litres, target of 50,000 litres
Balaghat has also made remarkable progress in the field of milk production. The Chief Minister said daily milk collection in the district has increased from 3,500 litres to 10,000 litres. The government now aims to take it to 50,000 litres per day. This growth in milk collection is an important indication of animal husbandry becoming a strong support for farmers’ incomes.
Milk production is a source of daily income for a farmer. Income from crops comes once or twice a year, whereas milk brings some income every day. Promoting animal husbandry is therefore considered necessary for the economic security of farmers. A strong collection system also enables a farmer to get a fair price for his milk and reduces the risk of milk going bad.
The Chief Minister called upon farmers to adopt animal husbandry and fisheries along with natural farming. Natural farming improves the health of the soil and reduces costs, while animal husbandry also provides organic manure. In this way, farming and animal husbandry support each other and the total income of the farmer increases.
New pace to development after freedom from Naxalism, district rich in mineral wealth
The Chief Minister said that after Balaghat district became free from Naxalism, development activities here will gain new pace. For a long time, development work in many areas of the district could proceed only slowly because of Naxal influence. Now that peace has been established, schemes related to roads, irrigation, education and agriculture can be taken forward rapidly.
Balaghat district is rich in mineral wealth. Eighty per cent of the country’s manganese comes from here, and Malanjkhand has a vast reserve of copper. Along with mineral wealth, the district is also known as a district with a glorious tradition of bravery, sacrifice and valour. The Chief Minister said Balaghat is famous across the country for its distinctive food culture as well.
The new pace of development will also affect farmers. Better roads and market yards will enable farmers to take their produce to the mandi easily. Improved irrigation facilities will make it possible to cultivate other crops along with paddy. The government is giving priority to schemes related to agriculture, animal husbandry and rural development in the district.
What next: the procurement season and the next phase of the Year of Farmer Welfare
In the coming days, the most important task for the farmers of Balaghat will be to complete their registration for paddy procurement. The portal is open till 4 November, so farmers whose registration has not been done so far should get it done within this period. After this, the process of paddy procurement at the support price will move forward.
The state government is observing the year 2026 as the Year of Farmer Welfare. Under this, emphasis is being laid on increasing farmers’ incomes, reducing the cost of cultivation and strengthening facilities related to agriculture. Through programmes like the Balram Krishi Mahotsav, information about new technology and schemes is being taken to farmers.
Balaghat’s achievement of 60 lakh quintals of procurement has boosted the morale of the district’s farmers. Attention will now be on whether the district maintains its lead in the coming procurement season as well, and how soon the target of 50,000 litres of daily milk collection is achieved. The combination of the progressive thinking of farmers and government schemes can further strengthen the agricultural picture of the district.
Disclaimer: This news has been prepared on the basis of available sources and verification. If any fact is found incorrect, a correction will be published.
