Building on the foundation laid in earlier months, the Crop Diversification Project (CDP), a collaborative initiative with the Government of Madhya Pradesh, continued to empower farmers by enhancing their capacities, introducing high-value crops, and enabling stronger market linkages. 

The project, aimed at boosting farmer incomes through Ashwagandha, Sericulture, Mustard, and Safflower, achieved strong momentum in May across multiple workstreams: 

Key Highlights 

1. AE Selection & Training 

• 27 new candidates were shortlisted for the upcoming Agri-Entrepreneur (AE) training program. 

• The screening and selection process for these potential AEs is actively underway, marking a significant step in strengthening last-mile service delivery. 

2. Farmer Training & Outreach- A total of 127 farmer training meetings were conducted of which: 

• 59 meetings by the project team with 1,227 farmer participants, focused on AE selection and Post-Harvest Management of Zaid crops. 

• 68 trainings by AEs, engaging 1,192 farmers, highlighting grassroots-level knowledge sharing and AE-led extension efforts. 

3. Market Linkage Milestones 

• A substantial 39.986 MT of produce—mainly Mustard and Ashwagandha—was successfully traded. 

• The total trade value reached ₹64.72 lakhs, facilitated through the dedicated support of the Market Linkage Team, boosting farm-gate realization for producers. 

4. New Crop Initiatives & Registrations 

• 35 farmers were selected for Mulberry plantation in Dindori and Mandla districts, expanding the reach of sericulture under the diversification model. 

• Mulberry nursery development is currently in progress, providing the planting material backbone for this initiative. 

5. Convergence & Institutional Collaboration 

• 650 soil samples were collected and sent to the Government Soil Testing Lab, helping farmers better manage soil health and input efficiency. 

• 1 PM-FME application was successfully filed from Nainpur, Mandla under the convergence framework. 

• 1 insecticide license was applied for in Umaria district, aiding AE service diversification. 

6. Enterprise Support

• 13 AE business plans were successfully submitted, enabling access to institutional support, financing, and market preparedness. 

The project continues to showcase how targeted crop diversification, backed by entrepreneurship, convergence, and market connectivity, can redefine sustainable rural growth in Madhya Pradesh.