UP to set up five state-of-the-art seed parks with Rs 2,500 crore
These parks will cater to region-specific crop requirements, ensuring farmers get quality seeds suited to their local conditions.
According to a state govt spokesperson, the plan involves an investment of Rs 2,500 crore over the next three years. The agriculture department has already identified six large farms with existing infrastructure, ranging from 200 to over 400 hectares, which will be leased to interested parties for seed production.
With agriculture being the backbone of the Indian economy—employing 42.3% of the population as per the 2023–2024 Economic Survey—and an even larger share in Uttar Pradesh, this initiative is expected to significantly benefit millions of farmers.
The project has already received cabinet approval, and official orders have been issued to kickstart the ambitious seed production programme. The state govt has started work on Uttar Pradesh's first seed park in Lucknow, which will be named after former Prime Minister Chaudhary Charan Singh.
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The park will feature advanced facilities for seed production, processing, storage, speed breeding, and hybrid laboratories.
The first seed park is being set up on 130.63 acres of govt agricultural land in Attari, Lucknow, with an investment of around Rs 266.70 crore. It will include 26 seed blocks dedicated to high-quality seed production, the spokesperson said. To encourage private participation, the govt is offering incentives to investors.
Land will be leased for 30 years, extendable up to 90 years if needed. Each seed park is expected to create about 1,200 direct and 3,000 indirect jobs, while connecting nearly 40,000 seed-producing farmers. Across all five parks planned in the state, the initiative will generate around 6,000 direct and 15,000 indirect employment opportunities.
Becoming self-reliant in seed production is expected to save the state around Rs 3,000 crore each year and strengthen the local economy by creating jobs in production, logistics, and transport.
It will also help improve the Seed Replacement Rate (SRR), which directly impacts crop yields.
Despite having the country's largest cultivable land and highest irrigated area, Uttar Pradesh lags behind states like Punjab and Haryana in per-hectare yields due to a lack of quality seeds. For instance, UP's wheat yield stands at 26.75 quintals per hectare compared to Punjab's 40.35, while rice yields are 37.35 against Haryana's 45.33.
Officials estimate that better seed availability could narrow this gap by 15–20%.
Poor-quality seeds have long been a major challenge for farmers. According to a recent report, in 2023–2024, of the 1,33,588 seed samples tested, 3,630 were found substandard. Low germination rates and delayed re-sowing due to bad seeds often lead to wasted investment in land preparation, fertilisers, and ultimately, reduced yields.
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