Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): The state government celebrates this year as Krishi Varsh, as it keeps farmers on top priority.
The farmers' agitation, however, opened the chinks in the armour of the agriculture department.
According to sources, the minister remains responsible for the present condition of the Agriculture Department.
Minister Aidal Singh Kansana never reviews the functioning of the department.
Two years and seven months have passed since Kansana became the minister, but he never reviewed the functioning of the department even twice.
The organisations, like MP Seeds and Farm Development Corporation, State Seeds Certification Agency, Agriculture Marketing Board, and Madhya Pradesh State Organic Certification Agency, function under the Agriculture Department. But Kansana never reviewed the functioning of any of the agencies.
According to sources, he never visits any part of the state to review the progress of the schemes run by his department.
Kansana never holds any discussions with the farmers' organisations, and when a dispute over the procurement of moong (green gram) cropped up, he discussed the issue with the peasants' organisations for the first time in two and a half years.
According to farmers' leader Shivkumar Sharma, 'Kakkaji', the agriculture minister barely takes any interest in the department. Leave aside the leaders of the farmers' organisations; the minister never spoke to the officers of the department, Kakkaji said, adding that he only issues controversial statements.
When the farmers moved from one place to another for fertiliser, he said the government had enough stock of it.
Similarly, according to farmers' leader Kedar Sirohi, 90% of peasants do not know the name of the agriculture minister.
The minister never spoke to the farmers about their problems in one and half years, he said.
Kansana's remarks that sparked debate
1.'No sand mafia, only pet mafia' (March 2025) After a Forest Department team was attacked during action against illegal sand mining in Morena, Kansana said there was no sand mafia. "They are pet mafia. They are working to feed their families," he said.
2.Promise on sand, stone transport (May 2024) Addressing a community gathering during the Lok Sabha election campaign, Kansana said that after the elections he would ensure tractors transporting sand or stone were not seized. He also asked people to call him directly if they were stopped.
3. 'Fertiliser shortage is not my subject' (December 2024) Amid complaints of fertiliser shortages in Madhya Pra- desh, Kansana said the issue was "not my subject".
4. 'Fertiliser distribution chaos was pre-planned' (December 2025) During reports of long queues and unrest at ferti- liser distribution centres, Kansana said, "Among 100 people, four are planted to create chaos. This is pre- planned." He alleged the dis- turbances were orchestrated to mislead farmers.
