CM Yogi Adityanath stated that one of the top priorities of the Uttar Pradesh government is to make agriculture self-reliant, sustainable, and digitally empowered. He instructed officials to accelerate the development of a ‘Digital Agriculture Ecosystem’ to ensure real-time access to information related to crops, weather, seeds, irrigation, fertilisers, insurance, markets, logistics, and institutional services on a unified platform.
Call for a Digital Agriculture Policy
CM emphasised the need to formulate a Digital Agriculture Policy that aligns with national technology standards and promotes secure cyber infrastructure and innovation-driven research.
Review of UP Agri-Growth Project (UP-AGRIS)
During a review meeting on Tuesday (14 October) night regarding the Uttar Pradesh Agriculture Growth and Rural Enterprise Ecosystem Strengthening Project (UP-AGRIS), CM said that this project is becoming an effective tool for increasing farmers’ income, promoting rural entrepreneurship, and advancing toward a tech-driven, sustainable agricultural system.
From Agriculture to Industry: A Comprehensive Approach
He stressed adopting a ‘farm-to-industry’ approach, focusing on value addition, processing, and local employment generation. He directed officials to implement the UP AGRIS project in coordination with the UP DASP project and to link it with agricultural universities, Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), and Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs).
₹4000 Crore Project in 28 Districts
The meeting was informed that the World Bank-supported project, costing approximately ₹4000 crore (US $500 million), is being implemented over six years across 28 districts in Eastern UP and Bundelkhand. The goal is to boost climate-resilient agriculture and better market connectivity for farmers.
Focus on Productivity, Modern Techniques, and Resource Efficiency
The project emphasises land development, water conservation, soil health improvement, and adoption of modern farming techniques.Officials are supporting small and marginal farmers with training, technical assistance, and marketing support. The Chief Minister stressed the need to ensure the availability of high-quality seeds.
Commodity Clusters for Key Crops
Under a commodity cluster approach, clusters are being developed for:
- Peanuts in Bundelkhand,
- Red chili and vegetables in Varanasi,
- Banana, Kalonamak rice, urad dal, green peas, and potatoes between Barabanki and Azamgarh.
He recommended promoting tissue culture technology for banana cultivation and called for the recruitment of sectoral experts for effective implementation.
Developing Fish Seed Production Locally
On fisheries, the Chief Minister instructed officials to produce fish seed within the state to reduce costs for fish farmers. The project aims to develop 90,000 hectares for fish production, benefiting nearly one lakh families through cluster development, quality seed supply, advanced technology, and improved supply chains.
Also Read: CM Yogi Adityanath Directs Swift Finalisation of Comprehensive Urban Redevelopment Policy for UP
Strengthening Agricultural Finance Systems
He highlighted the importance of strengthening the agricultural financial system, including improved credit facilities, risk management systems, and encouraging private investment for small and marginal farmers, as well as micro and small agri-enterprises.
Progress in Institutional Readiness
Officials have made significant progress in institutional preparation by completing environmental and social assessments and selecting monitoring, learning, and evaluation agencies, along with technical support agencies. They have also approved a six-year productivity program agreement with the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI).
Ensuring Direct Benefits to Farmers
The Chief Minister clarified that the aim of the project is not just to increase production but to empower the rural economy. He instructed that all project components be regularly reviewed and that mechanisms be put in place to ensure the direct benefits reach farmers. He also called for continuous monitoring of the UP AGRIS project.
