MP's Bhikangaon Mandi Revenue Soars 143-Fold To ₹5.67 Crore, Yet Space Crunch Persists As Cotton Market Plan Stalls

In Bhikangaon, Madhya Pradesh, the Bhikangaon Agricultural Produce Market has experienced a remarkable surge in revenue, growing from Rs 3.96 lakh in 1980 to over Rs 5.67 crore in 2025. However, the market faces a persistent issue of inadequate space, which hinders its development. Despite efforts to acquire additional land for a separate cotton market since 2004, the plan has failed to gain traction.

The demand for land dates back to August 15, 2004, when Mandi president Durgasingh Rawat proposed utilizing unused land at a government agricultural farm. The proposal was forwarded through various channels, including former MLA Dhulsingh Dabar and former MP Krishnamurari Moghe, to then agriculture minister Gopal Bhargava. Bhargava wrote to the department on October 25, 2004, and Mandi Board joint director KK Mishra sought additional information in December.

Although the authorities reinitiated the search in 2015 and inspected potential sites, neither site yielded the desired outcome. In recent years, the situation has worsened as cotton arrivals have significantly increased, causing congestion and inconveniences for commuters. Farmers have been waiting for days to transport their goods, and a relocation of the cotton market is deemed necessary.

The Bhikangaon SDM and Mandi officer-in-charge, Lokesh Chapre, intends to review the files before determining further steps.