Lucknow. There have been major changes in agriculture in Uttar Pradesh in the last eight and a half years under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Along with upgrading farming, the government has linked it with knowledge, technology, consultation and market access so that its benefits can reach every farmer in the village. Technologies like crop management, seed selection, soil health cards, natural farming, drone spray and modern irrigation have made farming safe. This has reduced the costs of farmers and increased production and income.

World Bank President Ajay Banga has also praised this model of UP and said that Uttar Pradesh has set a global example by connecting agriculture with modernity.

UP moving towards smart farming with technology and consultation

Yogi government ran training programs on a large scale to connect farmers with scientific and smart farming. In these, special importance was given to young farmers and women farmer groups. A consultation system of agricultural scientists and experts was created in every village, due to which solutions to questions related to crop diseases, irrigation, fertilizers and market are being provided directly on the farm.

Drone spray, automatic irrigation, digital monitoring of soil nutrients and digital survey of fields have given agriculture the efficiency of a modern industry. Faster settlement of crop insurance claims, online mandis and services like e-NAM have provided better prices and a larger market to farmers.

Record payment to sugarcane farmers and UP leading in ethanol policy

Record payments to sugarcane farmers in Uttar Pradesh, construction of new sugar mills and top position in ethanol production have strengthened the farmer-centric vision of the government. Irrigation projects, “Water to every field” mission, Ken-Betwa link in Bundelkhand and Har Ghar Nal Se Jal Abhiyan have improved irrigation and drinking water supply in both Kharif and Rabi seasons.

With the increase in rural roads, storage, mandis and cold chain network, the agriculture sector has become as strong as the industry. Major work has been done towards transforming farmers from “producers to entrepreneurs” by promoting FPOs, agri-drone operators and organic farming.

'UP-AGREES' Project: New hope for small and marginal farmers

Recently, the World Bank and the UP government have jointly started the 'UP Agris' project. Its objective is to make the agricultural system technically and financially strong. This project is expected to directly benefit about 10 lakh small and marginal farmers.

Comment of World Bank President Ajay Banga

-Ajay Banga, President, World Bank