logo
Need for accelerating research, innovation in agriculture: UP CM Adityanath

Need for accelerating research, innovation in agriculture: UP CM Adityanath

Indian Express3 days ago
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday highlighted agriculture as Uttar Pradesh's largest employment sector, supporting nearly three crore farmers.
Adityanath was speaking at an event to mark the 36th Foundation Day of UPCAR (UP Council of Agricultural Research). He stressed that agriculture should drive prosperity, not migration, and called for greater adoption of innovation and research to transform the sector. He noted that the MSME sector follows agriculture in employment, engaging 1.65 crore people.
He addressed a national seminar titled 'Developed Agriculture – Developed Uttar Pradesh @ 2047'. He also felicitated distinguished agricultural scientists, young innovators and Farmer Producer Organisations for their contributions to the sector.
The CM reaffirmed the state's commitment to contribute to the nation's goal of becoming a $5-trillion economy by aiming to build a $1-trillion economy in Uttar Pradesh by 2029.
He said, 'We have vast, fertile land and abundant water resources. UP might be the only region in the world where over 86 per cent of agricultural land is irrigated.'
The state also has a strong network of agricultural institutions, including four state-run agricultural universities, with a fifth under development, as well as centrally run universities and over 15 premier agricultural research institutes, Adityanath pointed out. In addition, 89 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) are actively working to disseminate knowledge and technologies to farmers.
Despite these resources, the CM acknowledged a concerning gap: 'Only 25–30 per cent of farmers in the state are currently able to adopt and implement scientific research in their farming practices'. He called for bridging this gap to ensure that the benefits of research and innovation truly reach the grassroots.
The CM highlighted that while Uttar Pradesh is home to 16 per cent of the country's population, it holds only 11 per cent of India's cultivable land. Remarkably, this land produces over 20 per cent of the nation's food grains.
He added, 'The state holds immense potential in agriculture, horticulture, and vegetable production. To unlock this, there is a pressing need to accelerate research tailored to local climatic zones and natural ecosystems.'
The CM noted that the state has formulated a Vision 2047 action plan, and stressed the need for clear short- and medium-term milestones — by 2027, 2029, and 2035 — to ensure visible progress. The CM also called on agricultural universities, research bodies, and Krishi Vigyan Kendras to play an active role in achieving these goals.
The CM recalled the establishment of a Centre of Excellence in collaboration with Israel, where the training and dedication of Indian scientists complemented Israeli technical expertise. He questioned the limited expansion of such models and called for renewed efforts. 'If Israel can achieve this, why can't our agricultural universities replicate and expand it?' he asked. He lamented that farmers are still being forced to migrate due to a lack of progress in agriculture and stressed the urgency of reversing this trend.
Addressing climate change challenges, he noted that while heavy rains were expected during this season, 15-16 districts of UP have received below-average rainfall, while some neighbouring states are experiencing excessive rainfall. 'How prepared are we to deal with such fluctuations?' he asked.
Adityanath also pointed out that a delay of just one month in sowing, coupled with the use of old seed varieties, could result in a 30 per cent reduction in yield. He asked whether farmers had access to late-sowing seed varieties and whether they were properly trained and guided. 'If Krishi Vigyan Kendras, agricultural universities, and research centers don't offer timely and credible demonstrations, farmers won't be convinced,' he said. 'If they are still relying on outdated methods, it is because we have failed to connect them with modern techniques and information.'
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Look at your own country: Bombay High Court raps CPI(M) over Gaza protest petition
Look at your own country: Bombay High Court raps CPI(M) over Gaza protest petition

The Hindu

time4 minutes ago

  • The Hindu

Look at your own country: Bombay High Court raps CPI(M) over Gaza protest petition

The Bombay High Court on Friday (July 25, 2025) dismissed a petition filed by the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the CPI challenging the Mumbai Police's decision to deny permission for a protest at Azad Maidan against the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The court observed that the Indian political organisations should prioritise domestic issues over international conflicts. A Division Bench comprising Justices Ravindra Ghuge and Gautam Ankhad pulled up the petitioners for focusing on matters outside the country and said, 'Our country has enough issues to deal with. We do not want anything like this. I am sorry to say that you are short-sighted. You are looking at Gaza and Palestine while neglecting what's happening here. Why don't you do something for your own country? Look at your own country. Be patriots. People say they are patriots, but this is not patriotism. Show patriotism for the citizens of our own country first,' the Bench remarked sharply during the hearing. Senior advocate Mihir Desai representing CPI(M), informed the Bench that on June 13, 2025, his clients submitted an application seeking permission from the Azad Maidan police station to hold a peaceful protest and gathering in Azad Maidan to show solidarity with the people of Gaza, who are currently in the midst of a genocide, by calling for a ceasefire. On June 17, denying permission to the All India Peace and Solidarity Foundation (AIPSF) that police informed them that the permission to protest was being denied in exercise of their powers under Section 168 of the Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) and Section 68 of the Maharashtra Police Act, 1951. Mr. Desai informed the Bench that the political parties have time and again taken up several causes that has concerned India and have been conducting health and education camps. The Court noted that the CPI(M), being a registered as Indian political party, should ideally be engaging with local civic concerns. 'You are a registered party in India. Your party could have taken up issues like garbage dumping, pollution, drainage, or flooding. Why are you not protesting on these issues? We are only giving examples. Instead, you want to protest over something happening thousands of miles away and showing concern for Palestine and Gaza,' the Bench observed. The petitioners stated that the Indian government's stance and support of Palestine as a State, has been an integral part of the nation's foreign policy. In 1974, India became the first Non-Arab State to recognize Palestine Liberation Organisation as the sole and legitimate representative of the Palestinian people. In 1988, India was also one of the first countries to recognize Palestine as a State. In April 2024, India voted in favour of the Human Rights Council Resolution on the Right of the Palestinian people to self-determination. Moreover, India is a State signatory to the Genocide Convention, 1948, and the protest which was held to condemn violence and genocide in Gaza, can in no way termed to be the foreign policy of the India State. Mr. Desai further argued that citizens have a fundamental right to protest at designated places and that disagreements with the government's foreign policy cannot be grounds to stifle dissent. He also contended that mere apprehensions of law-and-order issues, without concrete evidence, should not override constitutional freedoms. He also clarified that the protest has nothing to do with Operation Sindoor or India's border relations with neighbouring countries. CPI(M) issues statement Rejecting the petition, the court observed, 'You don't know the dust it could kick up. Whether to take a side for Palestine or Israel is their (Govt of India) work, why do you want to create such a situation that the country has to take sides on this? Why do you want to do this? It's obvious, going by the party you represent, that you don't understand what this could do to the foreign affairs of the country.' The CPI(M) has strongly condemned the Bombay High Court's remarks while dismissing its petition challenging the denial of permission to protest against the Gaza conflict. Calling the Court's comments unconstitutional and politically biased, the CPI(M) criticised the bench for questioning its patriotism and aligning with the Central government's foreign policy stance. 'It is regrettable to say that the Bench appears to be completely unaware of the constitutional provisions that empower political parties or the history of our country and the support and brotherly feelings of the Indian people towards the Palestinian people for their right to a homeland. The statement made by the High Court bench regarding the CPI(M) smacks of the bench aligning itself with the position of the Central Government,' the party said in a statement. The party invoked India's historical support for Palestine and urged citizens to reject what it termed a troubling judicial trend undermining democratic rights. 'We appeal to the freedom and democracy-loving people of the country to stand shoulder to shoulder with us in unequivocally rejecting this objectionable view,' the statement read.

IRDAI warns brokers on deal rush
IRDAI warns brokers on deal rush

Time of India

time14 minutes ago

  • Time of India

IRDAI warns brokers on deal rush

Mumbai: The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India ( IRDAI ) has raised concerns over a surge in merger, acquisition, and demerger activities in the insurance distribution space, cautioning brokers against adopting sharp practices to solely inflate their valuations. "We have been witnessing record activity among brokers and other distribution intermediaries," said Satyajit Tripathy , member (distribution), IRDAI, at an Insurance Brokers Association of India event. "While this is fine by all means, I must add a word of caution that with increased growth being seen, we need not be adopting what we call as sharp practices to increase valuation, get listed, and to do business in a way, which may in the long run prove detrimental to the whole ecosystem." Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category PGDM CXO Project Management Leadership Healthcare Digital Marketing Others Technology Product Management Artificial Intelligence Operations Management Public Policy Cybersecurity Design Thinking Finance healthcare Management Data Science Degree Data Analytics others MCA Data Science MBA Skills you'll gain: Financial Analysis & Decision Making Quantitative & Analytical Skills Organizational Management & Leadership Innovation & Entrepreneurship Duration: 24 Months IMI Delhi Post Graduate Diploma in Management (Online) Starts on Sep 1, 2024 Get Details The inflow of private equity capital into insurance broking has risen about 20x between 2011-17 and 2018-24 to reach $4.8 billion. Indian insurance broking has 735 licensed brokers of which the top 36 drive over 85% of revenue, implying a long tail of brokers that have not scaled, according to a report by IBAI and McKinsey . by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like An engineer reveals: One simple trick to get internet without a subscription Techno Mag Learn More Undo Tripathy acknowledged the significant value addition brought in by brokers to the industry in the last 4-5 years, particularly post-Covid. At the event, the government urged over 700 insurance brokers to deepen insurance reach across the country and called on brokers to ensure access to affordable and appropriate insurance solutions for every Indian whether self-employed, salaried, agricultural, or industrial. Live Events "There is a vast untapped potential in Type 2 and Type 3 cities, agricultural and rural zones, in unorganised sectors, and among small businesses," said M Nagaraju, secretary, Department of Financial Services. "We believe insurance brokers can possibly increase awareness about the importance and availability of insurance in remote and low-income populations."

Will act tough against language-based violence, says CM Fadnavis
Will act tough against language-based violence, says CM Fadnavis

United News of India

time17 minutes ago

  • United News of India

Will act tough against language-based violence, says CM Fadnavis

Mumbai, July 25 (UNI) Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has warned that violence in the name of language will not be tolerated. "One can take pride in the Marathi language, but assaulting others for not knowing or speaking Marathi will not be accepted. Legal action will be taken against such offenders," he stated. Fadnavis was speaking at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in Delhi during the foundation stone laying ceremony of a new Centre for Strategic and Defence Studies named after Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and the inauguration of the Kusumagraj Chair for Marathi language studies last evening. Highlighting the significance of Marathi, Fadnavis said it is an ancient language. "It was due to our request that Prime Minister Narendra Modi granted it the status of a classical language. Pride in Marathi is natural and justified, but violence in its name will not be tolerated. Those indulging in such actions will face strict legal consequences", he said. He emphasized Marathi's contribution to the country, especially in the field of theatre. "If any language has kept Indian theatre alive across the nation, it is Marathi", he said. Fadnavis added that research and academic study of the language is vital and the Kusumagraj Chair at JNU will work towards that objective. Fadnavis also stressed the importance of respecting all Indian languages. "Every citizen must take pride in their mother tongue. However, respecting other Indian languages is also our responsibility. We easily accept English but often neglect our native languages, which is not right," he said. UNI SP PRS

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store