Lucknow, August 26: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced that an MoU signed with Google, Global Network for Humanity, ITC, and Aquabridge aims to enhance agricultural productivity and farmer income in the state. This initiative is part of the UP Agri-Enterprise (UPAgris) project, which seeks to transform agriculture in Uttar Pradesh into a model of productivity, prosperity, and future economic growth.
The UPAgris project focuses not only on increasing production but also on improving farmer income, enhancing climate-resilient farming capacity, and promoting rural entrepreneurship. The MoU will significantly impact agricultural productivity and farmer income in 21 districts of Eastern Uttar Pradesh and 7 districts of Bundelkhand.
During a recent event, the MoU was signed under the World Bank-funded UPAgris project, which aims to strengthen the agricultural ecosystem in the state. CM Yogi highlighted that discussions with the World Bank president last year led to the formulation of this plan, addressing the challenges faced by regions lagging in agricultural productivity.
The UPAgris initiative aligns with the vision of Prime Minister Modi and the World Bank president, focusing on practical implementation in Uttar Pradesh. CM Yogi emphasized that while there have been claims of increased agricultural production, farmers have often remained stagnant without guidance on reducing costs, securing buyers, or accessing markets.
The project, supported by a budget of approximately ₹4,000 crores, targets Eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bundelkhand, areas historically neglected despite their potential for transformation. The initiative will cover 123 development blocks across 28 districts, benefiting around 1 million farmers, including 35,000 fish farmers and 300,000 women.
For the Kharif season of 2026, the project aims to cover 1.75 lakh hectares, with similar goals for the Rabi season, focusing on crops like wheat, peas, chickpeas, lentils, and mustard. The objective is to empower farmers as not just producers but as partners in a modern agricultural economy.
CM Yogi mentioned that partnerships with organizations like EIRI are facilitating the introduction of scientific and climate-smart practices in farming. The Kharif season will see the implementation of Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) across 3,000 hectares, incorporating various crops such as maize, millet, and peanuts into the plan. This blend of traditional agricultural strength and modern science aims to enhance productivity.
Additionally, the CM announced efforts to develop an Open Network for Agriculture in collaboration with Google and the Network for Humanity. This digital infrastructure will streamline access to services for farmers, eliminating the need for multiple apps and platforms. The goal is to provide a unified interface for weather updates, market prices, soil information, and agricultural advice.
The initiative also aims to connect agri-tech startups and companies to a larger farmer base, focusing on reducing costs while ensuring quality that meets global market standards. Partnerships with ITC will develop climate-resilient commodity clusters for rice and wheat over more than 200,000 acres, utilizing modern techniques such as zero tillage and decision nutrient management.
In Bahraich, a proposal for a 1,500-acre rice cluster compliant with DU and MRL standards aims to increase farmers’ income by 20-30% per acre while reducing urea usage by 25% and saving labor and irrigation costs.
The UPAgris project also includes collaborations with major private companies for crops like chili, maize, green peas, and tomatoes, ensuring better market access and purchasing arrangements for farmers. The initiative will strengthen the entire value chain from production to storage, processing, and market access.
The government aims to develop a complete blue economy ecosystem in Uttar Pradesh by integrating aquaculture with science, technology, processing, and entrepreneurship. Collaborations with Aquabridge will transition fish farming from traditional practices to technology-driven enterprises, providing fish farmers and cooperatives with modern techniques and training.
In Unnao, an integrated aquaculture project is being developed over 60 acres under the IMC Industrial Corridor, featuring hatcheries, feed manufacturing, processing facilities, and dedicated training centers.
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