The Madhya Pradesh government has decided to implement the Bhavantar scheme for the mustard crop, which will allow it to pay the differential price to farmers when mandi rates fall below the minimum support price. The state government is awaiting approval of the Union Agriculture Ministry, currently headed by former state chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Monday announced this in the state assembly as the state government has decided to observe 2026 as ‘Krishak Kalyan Varsh’, according to an official release. He also announced some more decisions with regard to pulses procurement saying those would enhance farmers’ empowerment and advance their all-around welfare and development.
The decisions came a day before Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who addressed the ‘Kisan Mahachaupal’ rally in Bhopal on Tuesday. Gandhi said the Indo-US interim trade deal was sealed under pressure and dared the Centre to scrap the “anti-farmer” agreement, following the US Supreme Court ruling.
Among other decisions of the state government, Yadav said that a bonus of ₹600 per quintal over and above the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of ₹7,800/quintal will be paid to each farmer for the summer urad crop, which is currently being planted. During the key Kharif harvesting season (October-December) of 2025-26, farmers in Madhya Pradesh on an average had sold their urad at agriculture market yards (mandis) 26 per cent below MSP at ₹6,181/quintal, according to Agmarknet portal.
He also said that the state government has sent three proposals — procurement of 6.49 lakh tonnes (lt) of gram, 6.01 lt of masur (lentil) and 1.31 lt of tur (pigeon pea), at their respective MSPs from March to May under the ‘Price Support Scheme’.
Yadav said that the area under mustard cultivation has increased by nearly 28 per cent compared to the previous year, with the second advance estimates projecting production at 15.71 lt. Under the Bhavantar scheme, compensation will be provided for Fair Average Quality (FAQ) of mustard if the market price falls below the MSP and payments will be made to registered farmers based on their mustard acreage and the state’s average productivity norms.
Highlighting that the state is promoting balanced production of pulses and encouraging crop diversification, he said the bonus for the urad crop will encourage farmers to shift from moong during the summer (zaid) season.
He reiterated that the government is taking all necessary steps to safeguard farmers’ interests, including ensuring adequate electricity supply, irrigation facilities, and access to agricultural credit, while actively promoting crop diversification to strengthen the state’s agricultural economy.
Published on February 24, 2026