Agriculture must drive prosperity, not force migration: CM Yogi

United News of India

5 days ago

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