Madhya Pradesh, Bhopal – The state government has kicked off a fresh round of soybean purchases under the Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojana (BBY). Work starts on October 24 and will run until January 15, 2026, covering the entire kharif season.
The state earns its nickname “soya bowl of India” by producing 4 to 5 million tonnes of soybean each year. In a record year, officials counted 8.4 million tonnes, yet farmers have long struggled with price swings in the open market.
The BBY scheme was first rolled out in 2017 by former chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. It aimed to shield farmers from market volatility by paying the gap between the minimum support price (MSP) and the actual price at which their crop sells. The pilot covered eight crops—soybean, maize, moong, urad and groundnut, among others. But buyers faced delayed payments, tedious paperwork and accusations of price manipulation. The scheme was halted under the Kamal Nath government.
Now, under new chief minister Dr Mohan Yadav, the program is alive again—this time with digital safeguards. On the state’s X (Twitter‑style) account, Mr Yadav announced that 936 000 farmers have already registered for the current season.
Key points of the revival:
- Direct, digital payments – The difference between MSP and market price will go straight into farmers’ bank accounts via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
- Real‑time alerts – SMS notifications keep farmers updated on their payment status.
- Online registration – Farmers sign up through the e‑procurement portal, reducing paperwork.
Soybean is sold in state mandis (agricultural markets) during the procurement window. Officials were instructed to ensure that purchases and transfers happen quickly so that farmers receive money promptly.
Earlier this Tuesday, the chief minister held a farm‑welfare meeting that opened with a Govardhan festival—an old‑fashioned tribute to nature’s bounty. The session ended at the CM’s residence, where he and the team reviewed the BBY and the Solar Pump Yojana, both key parts of the state’s agricultural strategy.
Dr Yadav urged government agencies to speed up subsidy processes and warned that farmers are the backbone of Madhya Pradesh’s economy. “They matter most. Every decision must keep their welfare first,” he said.
With almost one million farmers enrolled and digital tools in place, the 2024‑26 soybean procurement round looks promising. The BBY could set a national example for how states can use technology to protect farmers, boost transparency and keep the agriculture market stable.
Source: ianslive
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