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United News of India
a day ago
- Business
- United News of India
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
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Business Standard
2 days ago
- Politics
- Business Standard
Targeted intervention: Aiming at low-productivity districts to boost growth
The Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PM-DDKY), recently approved by the Union Cabinet, marks a shift in India's agricultural policy — from blanket subsidies to targeted, district-level intervention. By focusing on at least one district per state with low productivity, low cropping intensity, and low credit disbursement, this scheme aims to target areas that have been left behind. It places strong emphasis on enhancing agricultural productivity through crop diversification, sustainable practices, improved post-harvest infrastructure and irrigation facilities, and better financial access. Backed by performance-based monitoring through 117 indicators, the scheme signals a clear intent for systemic reform. Historically, India has experimented successfully with similar models. The Intensive Agriculture District Programme (IADP), launched in 1960, and later expanded as the Intensive Agriculture Area Programme (IAAP), brought subject-matter experts together at district level to drive coordinated intervention. It was within this very framework that high-yielding wheat varieties were introduced in 1966, paving the way for the Green Revolution. This demonstrates that district-led, integrated planning is not new but remains a proven template worth revitalising. However, identifying the 100 'Dhan-Dhaanya' districts and designing 117 performance indicators are only the starting point. Given India's agro-climatic and socio-economic diversity, success will depend on decentralised problem-solving and participatory governance. The formation of the 'District Dhan Dhaanya Samiti' is a welcome move in this direction. It must ensure the inclusion of diverse local actors, such as panchayats, farmer-producer organisations (FPOs), women's self-help groups (SHGs), agri-entrepreneurs, cooperatives, private players, and, above all, farmers, because their participation is indispensable for identifying ground-level bottlenecks, prioritising needs, and ensuring accountability. That said, the scheme's design brings its own risks. It relies on the convergence of 36 existing schemes across 11 departments, an effort that, while conceptually sound, is in danger of getting mired in bureaucratic complexity. Additionally, the monthly tracking of 117 indicators across 100 districts, though data-driven in spirit, could become an administrative burden. Over-monitoring may shift focus towards box-ticking rather than tangible outcomes. Besides, another vital dimension is the integration of climate resilience and natural-resource management into district-level planning. Many of the identified districts may overlap with regions vulnerable to erratic rainfall, soil degradation, and groundwater stress. A 2019 NITI Aayog report suggested a water-focused approach in framing state-level agricultural policies and incentives. The PM-DDKY must therefore embed climate-smart agriculture, such as drought-resistant crop varieties, precision irrigation, and agroforestry, within district plans. Strengthening local weather forecasting and promoting decentralised water budgeting can help future-proof these districts. Without climate adaptation as a core metric, short-term productivity gains may falter in the face of long-term environmental distress. To mitigate these risks, capacity-building must be prioritised. Targeting low-productivity districts will not only boost economic activity in some of the backward areas, but will help push overall growth.
News18
2 days ago
- Business
- News18
Centre's FPO Scheme Bears Fruit: 340 Farmer Groups Clock Over Rs 10 Crore Turnover
Last Updated: The Centre's initiative to create 10,000 FPOs is successful, with 1,100 FPOs reaching Rs 1 crore turnover and 340 exceeding Rs 10 crore. The Centre government's effort to set up over 10,000 farmer producer organizations (FPO) seems to bear fruit after an arduous toil in the past four years. According to a report of Financial Express citing data gathered by the Union agricultural ministry, approximately 1100 or 11 per cent FPOs have clocked a turnover of Rs 1 crore. Of the 1,100 FPOs, 340 have reportedly clocked a turnover over Rs 10 crore. The FE report stated that the growth of these FPOs are driven by digital platforms like Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), electronic national agriculture market (e-NAM), and the government e-marketplace (GeM). Now, the government is planning to reward these high-performing FPOs so that other such organisations too get encouraged to boost their business prospects, said the official as per FE report. The Central Sector Scheme for 'Formation and Promotion of 10,000 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) was launched by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on 29th February, 2020. The scheme was launched with a budget outlay of Rs 6,865 Crore till 2027-28. Under this scheme, there is a provision for handholding support for a period of five years to each new FPO formed, and financial assistance to the tune of Rs.18 lakhs to each FPO under the scheme towards management cost for 3 years. On the occasion of 19th installment of PM-KISAN in Bhagalpur, Bihar, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi launched the 10,000th FPO. It has been registered in Khagaria district and focuses on maize, banana, and paddy. What are FPOs? Farmer Producer Organisation (FPO) is a generic name, which refers to farmer- producers' organization incorporated/ registered either under Part IXA of Companies Act or under Co-operative Societies Act of the concerned States and formed for the purpose of leveraging collectives through economies of scale in production and marketing of agricultural and allied sector. The concept behind Farmer Producer Organizations is that farmers, who are the producers of agricultural products, can form groups. To facilitate this process, the Small Farmers' Agribusiness Consortium (SFAC) was mandated by Department of Agriculture and Cooperation, Ministry of Agriculture, Govt. of India, to support the State Governments in the formation of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs). view comments First Published: July 21, 2025, 12:29 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
UP to help farmers in storage, grading, processing, marketing of their produce
Lucknow: The state govt said on Friday that it has introduced the public-private partnership agricultural value chain development project which aims to create an integrated system that supports farmers beyond just crop production. Under this scheme, the govt will collaborate with private companies to improve crucial post-harvest processes such as storage, grading, processing, and marketing. By streamlining these steps, farmers are expected to receive better prices for their produce, reduce wastage, and gain access to larger markets. The Uttar Pradesh govt has partnered with Ninjacart, one of India's leading agri-tech companies, to promote maize farming in the state. As part of this agreement, Ninjacart will purchase 25,000 tonnes of maize every year from over 10,000 farmers across five districts. The maize will be supplied to ethanol manufacturing plants, contributing to India's green energy goals. For potato farming and processing, the govt has signed an agreement with Agristo Masa, a foreign company. This company will help farmers grow better-quality potatoes, support processing facilities, and assist in exporting the produce. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Villas in Dubai | Search Ads Get Info Undo This will open up new markets and income opportunities for farmers, especially in potato-growing districts. Chief secretary Manoj Kumar Singh termed it a significant initiative to connect farmers with modern agriculture, better markets, and higher incomes. The project is expected to make Uttar Pradesh a leading state in agriculture and strengthen the rural economy. A state govt spokesperson said that the project will also involve working closely with Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and will actively include women farmers. They will be provided with high-quality seeds, modern farming equipment, digital platforms, crop insurance, and a transparent pricing system. To reduce post-harvest losses, the govt will develop cold storage, proper storage facilities, and grading systems, which will help extend the shelf life of produce and minimize waste.
News18
5 days ago
- Business
- News18
NABARD reinforces commitment to rural entrepreneurship, inclusive growth
Ranchi, Jul 18 (PTI) The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) on Friday reaffirmed its commitment to driving inclusive rural development, with a renewed focus on entrepreneurship, innovation, and financial inclusion on its 44th foundation day. Shilpi Neha Tirkey, Jharkhand's Minister for Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Cooperation, acknowledged the NABARD's significant contribution to rural development in the state and stressed the need for enhanced collaboration between the bank and the state government to improve the execution, monitoring, and impact of rural schemes. Addressing the issue of rural credit bottlenecks, Tirkey urged the State Level Bankers' Committee (SLBC) and financial institutions to address last-mile credit access challenges and adopt innovative practices to ensure timely credit to farmers and entrepreneurs. Gautam Singh, chief general manager, NABARD Jharkhand, highlighted the institution's evolving development vision and its role as a catalyst for rural transformation. He outlined NABARD's strategic interventions over the past 24 years in the state, ranging from strengthening farm and non-farm infrastructure to supporting farmer producer organisations (FPOs), and enabling financial inclusion through partnerships with banks and grassroots institutions. Singh emphasised the growing importance of technology-driven solutions and climate-resilient practices in ensuring sustainable rural progress. He reiterated NABARD's role as a bridge between policy formulation and on-ground implementation, and its mission to deepen outreach to the most underserved sections of rural society. Addressing the issue of rural credit bottlenecks, Tirkey urged the SLBC and financial institutions to address last-mile credit access challenges and adopt innovative practices to ensure timely credit to farmers and entrepreneurs. A panel discussion on 'Fostering Rural Entrepreneurship for Inclusive Growth' took place on the occasion addressed by K Shrinivasan, Secretary, Rural Development Department, Anamika Sharma, Officer-in-Charge, RBI Ranchi, Prashant Gattani, President, Federation of Jharkhand Chamber of Commerce & Industries, Aman Kumar, faculty, IIM Ranchi and entrepreneur Nishant Kumar. The panelists deliberated on enabling policies, youth engagement, financial linkages, market access, and the need for capacity building in the rural enterprise ecosystem. NABARD was recognised for its catalytic role in promoting rural startups and empowering rural youth. Two NABARD publications were launched on the occasion — 'NABARD in Jharkhand 2024-25 — a comprehensive report detailing NABARD's key initiatives and sectoral interventions, and 'Unit Cost Booklet 2024-25' – a practical tool for banks and stakeholders to plan and finance rural economic activities. PTI NAM MNB view comments First Published: July 18, 2025, 20:00 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
