Lucknow, February 9: The Yogi government has presented the Economic Survey during the budget session of the legislative assembly. The government has prioritized agriculture and farmers in the state’s development. By focusing on reducing costs and increasing production, the Yogi administration aims to enrich farmers, the backbone of the economy. The survey highlights Uttar Pradesh’s success stories in agriculture, animal husbandry, and fisheries.
According to the Economic Survey, the contribution of agriculture and related sectors to the economy is projected to rise from 24% in 2017-18 to 24.9% by 2024-25. Uttar Pradesh is set to lead in food grain production with an estimated output of 73.74 million metric tons in 2024-25. From 2017-18 to 2024-25, total food grain production is expected to increase by 28.5%, while productivity will rise by 11.8%. The state’s share in total food grain production in the country will grow from 18.1% to 20.6%. The gross value added per hectare for crops has increased from ₹0.98 lakh in 2017-18 to ₹1.73 lakh in 2024-25. Significant changes in the area, production, and productivity of Kharif and Rabi crops are anticipated for 2023-24 and 2024-25. Rice contributes 13.1% to the state’s agricultural gross value added (GVA), with a 19.4% increase in area and a 23.6% rise in production. Productivity has also improved by 3.6%, reaching 29.4 quintals per hectare in 2024-25.
Taking a significant step towards agricultural self-reliance, the Uttar Pradesh government is establishing advanced seed parks in five agricultural-climatic zones. This initiative aims to make the state self-sufficient in agriculture and enhance farmers’ incomes. The first park will be set up on 130.63 acres in the Atari area of Lucknow, with an investment of ₹266.70 crore. It will feature facilities for seed processing, speed breeding, and hybrid seed development, creating new job opportunities for rural youth. The establishment of seed parks will reduce dependence on seed imports and increase productivity with high-quality seeds, leading to better yields and higher incomes. This move positions Uttar Pradesh on the path to agricultural self-reliance and aims to make it a seed production hub in India in the coming years.
Uttar Pradesh is rapidly emerging as India’s food processing hub. State-of-the-art processing plants are being set up in Agra and Farrukhabad, supported by a robust network of contract farming and cold storage. Approximately 65,000 food processing units operate in the state, providing jobs to around 255,000 youth. The government aims to establish at least 1,000 processing units in each district, promoting value addition and employment opportunities in agriculture. Over 15 agro and food processing parks have already been developed, with Bareilly, Barabanki, Varanasi, and Gorakhpur being prominent locations.
The Economic Survey indicates that, according to the Periodic Labour Force Survey 2023-24, 53.2% of the state’s total workforce is employed in agriculture and related sectors. Among the employed women, 78.8% work in agriculture, while 44.0% of men are also in this sector. This demonstrates that four out of five employed women in the state contribute significantly to household incomes through agriculture and animal husbandry. Additionally, the government, with support from the central government, has initiated the Unique Land Parcel Identification Number (ULPIN) system for proper land management. This system not only facilitates real estate transactions but also improves property taxation, disaster planning, and response efforts.
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