In Madhya Pradesh, a dedicated effort is underway to enhance environmental conservation and empower women through the ‘Ek Bagiya Maa Ke Naam’ project. The government is focused on improving the economic conditions of self-help groups (SHGs) and has implemented this program. Under the direction of Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav, the initiative involves planting fruit-bearing trees on private land belonging to women’s SHGs. This is being carried out under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). Khandwa district has emerged as a leader in this project, followed by Singrauli.
Self-help group women are enthusiastic about the initiative, with 10,162 women already approved for participation. The state government has allocated 1000 crore rupees to support the project, funding activities such as securing the plants, installing protective fencing, purchasing saplings, providing fertilizers, preparing planting pits, and constructing irrigation water tanks with a capacity of 50,000 liters.
The project aims to benefit 31,300 women’s groups; however, over 40,406 women have registered via the ‘Ek Bagiya Maa Ke Naam’ app, exceeding initial projections. The project covers 9,662 gram panchayats in 313 blocks across all districts. Surveys have been conducted in 10,162 villages, resulting in the registration of 40,406 women. Each block is selecting at least 100 beneficiaries. In addition, women will receive training twice a year to support their participation.
The project commenced on August 15th and is scheduled to continue until September 15, 2025. Drone monitoring by the Madhya Pradesh Electric Development Corporation Limited will provide detailed information about the project’s progress, including land selection, pit preparation, and the condition of the saplings. The initiative utilizes cutting-edge technology, including SIPRI software, for a scientific approach to land selection. The software takes into account climate, soil conditions, and irrigation water availability to determine the most suitable locations for planting various fruit-bearing trees. If land is found unsuitable, planting will not proceed. Moreover, training has been provided to relevant officials and employees to ensure effective project implementation.
More than 30 lakh fruit-bearing trees will be planted across private lands owned by 31,300 women’s SHGs through the ‘Ek Bagiya Maa Ke Naam’ project, thereby contributing to their economic advancement. A dedicated dashboard will facilitate the monitoring and supervision of the project, with daily monitoring of district-level progress. Based on their performance, the top three districts, ten Janpad Panchayats, and 25 gram panchayats will receive awards. Participating women are required to have between 0.5 and 1 acre of land. As of September 3rd, the top-performing districts include Khandwa, Singrauli, Betul, Dewas, and Agar Malwa. The leading blocks are Khandwa, Chitrangi, Pandhana, Punasa, and Khalwa.