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Bhopal, October 22 (IANS) Madhya Pradesh is once again preparing to procure soybean under Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojana (BBY), the operation of which will start on October 24 and will continue till January 15, 2026.
Known as the ‘Soy Bowl of India’, the state typically produces 40 to 50 lakh tonnes of soybean every season, with exceptional years – such as the one recorded recently – reaching an unprecedented 84 lakh tonnes, according to government estimates. Yet, despite this agricultural abundance, farmers have long struggled with price volatility in the open market.
The Bhavantar Payment Scheme, first launched in 2017 under the leadership of then Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, was envisioned as a pioneering intervention to protect farmers from market volatility.
The scheme promised to compensate farmers for the shortfall between the Minimum Support Price (MSP) and the actual market rate. Initially launched as a pilot covering eight crops – including soybean, maize, mung, urad and groundnut – it was welcomed as a potential blueprint for national adoption. However, its implementation was hampered by delays in payments, cumbersome registration processes and allegations of price manipulation by traders, which eventually led to its closure under the Kamal Nath administration.
Now, under the leadership of Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav, the scheme has been revived with renewed vigor and digital security measures.
Speaking recently through his official X handle, Dr Yadav confirmed that 9.36 lakh farmers have registered for the current season. Soybean, an important kharif crop, will be traded in the mandis during the procurement window, and officials have been directed to ensure that the difference amount is transferred directly to farmers through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) through the e-procurement portal. SMS alerts will be issued to keep beneficiaries informed, enhancing transparency and efficiency.
Tuesday was dedicated to farmer welfare, starting with the Govardhan Utsav – a symbolic tribute to the bounty of nature – and ending with a strategic discussion at the Chief Minister’s residence. The review focused on the Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojana and the Solar Pump Scheme, which are central to the state’s agriculture strategy.
Dr. Yadav directed officials to expedite the administrative processes related to subsidies and emphasized that the welfare of farmers should remain at the center of every government decision. “They are the backbone of Madhya Pradesh’s economy,” he affirmed.
–IANS
SKTR/DPB