logo
Agriculture must drive prosperity, not force migration: CM Yogi

Agriculture must drive prosperity, not force migration: CM Yogi

Lucknow, July 22: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath today emphasized agriculture as the largest employment-generating sector in Uttar Pradesh, supporting nearly three crore farmers.
Speaking at the 36th Foundation Day of the Uttar Pradesh Council of Agricultural Research (UPCAR), he stressed that agriculture should lead to 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 around 1.65 crore people.
He stated that the development of Uttar Pradesh is critical to India's overall progress. 'If UP advances, no power in the world can stop India from becoming a developed nation. Every individual must make honest efforts in their respective fields to achieve this shared goal,' he said.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister visited an agricultural exhibition, released informative booklets and newsletters, and addressed a national seminar titled 'Developed Agriculture – Developed Uttar Pradesh at 2047'. He also felicitated distinguished agricultural scientists, young innovators, and Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) for their contributions to the sector.
Highlighting the importance of region-specific innovation, CM Yogi said that agricultural research and development must align with India's diverse climatic and soil conditions. 'All such possibilities lie within UP,' he noted, adding that the state has a key role in realizing Prime Minister Modi's vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047.
Reaffirming the state's commitment to contributing to India's goal of becoming a $5 trillion economy, the Chief Minister reiterated Uttar Pradesh's aim to build a Rs 1 trillion economy by 2029.
He further stated that Uttar Pradesh is richly endowed by nature, especially in the field of agriculture. '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,' he remarked.
The state also boasts 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. 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.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath highlighted that while Uttar Pradesh is home to 16% of the country's population, it holds only 11% of India's cultivable land. Remarkably, this land produces over 20% of the nation's food grains. He noted, "The state's fertile terrain, abundant water resources, and well-levelled land have the potential to triple its current agricultural output. However, realizing this potential requires a firm commitment to strengthening agricultural research and development."
The Chief Minister emphasised that nations that have invested in research and innovation, regardless of their size, are the ones that have progressed. 'Progress comes to those who focus on R&D, irrespective of their sector,' he said.
He further stated that Uttar Pradesh has the capacity not only to feed the country but also to contribute to global food security. 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 pace and direction of your research and development initiatives will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of both the state and the nation,' he said.
Looking ahead to India's $30 trillion economy target by 2047, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath urged a serious reflection on Uttar Pradesh's future role across key sectors like agriculture, infrastructure, education, industry, and healthcare. He noted that the state has already 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.
CM Yogi 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.
The Chief Minister also pointed out that a delay of just one month in sowing, coupled with the use of old seed varieties, can 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.'
He also stressed that even modest efforts in agriculture, horticulture, vegetable farming, and animal husbandry can significantly improve farmers' lives. Reiterating PM Modi's vision, he said, 'Reducing input costs and boosting productivity is the key to bringing smiles to farmers' faces—and this is only possible through robust research and development.' He expressed confidence that UPCAR will play a crucial role in supporting farmers through specialized research and innovation initiatives.
UNI MBD AAB
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Realtor Elan Group repays Rs 875 cr debt to Asia Pragati
Realtor Elan Group repays Rs 875 cr debt to Asia Pragati

Deccan Herald

time18 minutes ago

  • Deccan Herald

Realtor Elan Group repays Rs 875 cr debt to Asia Pragati

New Delhi, Realty firm Elan Group has repaid Rs 875 crore debt to Asia Pragati Strategic Investment Fund, which is part of PAG, on better internal cash flow because of strong housing a statement on Friday, the Gurugram-based company said it has made repayment of Rs 875 crore debt availed from Asia Pragati Strategic Investment Fund before Pragati had infused this amount in 2022.."The early repayment of the entire Rs 875 crore fund to Asia Pragati marks a pivotal milestone in Elan Group's growth journey,' said Sandeep Agarwal, Executive Director– Finance & Group CFO, Elan company said this would help in reducing its interest Group has a portfolio of 15 projects spread across Gurugram and New Delhi, with a built-up area of about 25 million square feet. The company has developed few commercial projects in Gurugram and has now ventured into residential segment with an ultra-luxury project on Dwarka Expressway.

This NBFC stock in focus as promoter group buys 74.7 lakh shares
This NBFC stock in focus as promoter group buys 74.7 lakh shares

India.com

time18 minutes ago

  • India.com

This NBFC stock in focus as promoter group buys 74.7 lakh shares

ओमांश इंटरप्राइजेज लिमिटेड का शेयर बना रहा मालामाल The shares of Paisalo Digital are in focus on Friday, July 25, 2025 as the company has informed exchanges that Equilibrated Venture CFlow Pvt Ltd, a unit associated with the promoter group of the company, has bought shares in large quantities. In the filing sent to BSE and NSE, the company said that the promoter group has bought a total of 74.70 lakh equity shares from the open market on 24 and 25 July 2025. After this, the promoter's stake in the company has increased to 16.50 per cent, which was earlier 15.67 per cent. Equilibrated Venture CFlow Pvt Ltd is related to the promoter group of the company. The company has made this investment directly from the open market. Buying shares from the open market is an indication that the promoter has confidence in the company's business model and future growth. Before the deal, the promoter held 14.13 crore shares, which was equivalent to 15.67 per cent stake. After the deal, the promoter's stake increased to 14.88 crore shares. According to the information given by the company, there has been no change in the total equity share capital of the company before and after the deal. The total share capital of Paisalo Digital is Rs 90.21 crore, i.e. 90.21 crore equity shares. Paisalo Digital Ltd is a non-banking financial company (NBFC) that focuses specifically on microfinance, small loans, and loans in rural India. The company has its roots in villages and small towns, where it provides loans to farmers, small traders, and self-employed people. Meanwhile, equity benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty tumbled in early trade on Friday dragged down by Bajaj Finance and persistent foreign fund outflows. A weak trend in Asian markets also dented investors' sentiment. The 30-share BSE Sensex dropped 407.45 points to 81,776.72 in early trade. The 50-share NSE Nifty declined 144.3 points to 24,917.80.

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