In a major step toward women's economic empowerment, the Government of Madhya Pradesh is set to launch a new initiative titled “Ek Bagiya Maa Ke Naam” (A Garden in Mother’s Name) from August 15, 2025. The campaign will be implemented under the MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) and aims to create sustainable income sources for members of self-help groups (SHGs) by promoting fruit orchard plantations.
Under the project, more than 30,000 women members of SHGs will have fruit-bearing trees planted on 30,000 acres of their privately owned land. The program, with an estimated investment of ₹1,000 crore, will facilitate the plantation of over 30 lakh horticulture plants, helping to establish long-term sources of income for women in rural areas.
Support and Resources for Beneficiaries
Campaign Timeline: August 15 to September 15, 2025: The plantation drive will be conducted as a statewide campaign from August 15 to September 15, 2025. During this period, eligible women will be selected and their land will be evaluated for suitability.
Who Can Apply?
The scheme is open to SHG women interested in cultivating fruit orchards. If the woman does not own land in her name, plantation can be done on land owned by her husband, father, father-in-law, or son, provided there is written consent.
Site Selection through Advanced Technology:
Land assessment for plantation will be carried out using the ‘CIPRI’ software, which employs advanced geospatial analysis. The software will evaluate:
