UP govt, World Bank launch tech-driven agri project to ‘benefit 10 lakh farmers'
The Uttar Pradesh government and the World Bank on Friday launched two programmes — one to enhance agricultural productivity in the Purvanchal and Bundelkhand regions with technology-driven farming and the other to usher in digital transformation in the state.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath who along with World Bank President Ajay Banga unveiled the 'UP AGREES' (Uttar Pradesh Agriculture Growth and Rural Enterprise Ecosystem Strengthening) and 'AI Pragya' projects in Lucknow, hailed the international financial institution's 'consistent support in enabling Uttar Pradesh move closer to its vision of becoming a $1 trillion economy'.
'The world now sees Uttar Pradesh not as an impediment, but as the growth engine of India,' the Chief Minister remarked.
Under the UP AGREES project, the state government will get Rs 2,737 crore loan from the World Bank for a period of six years, which will directly benefit farmers, farmer organisations, fishers, and agriculture-based micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), the government said in a statement. The state government will contribute Rs 1,166 crore to the project, while the loan amount will have to be repaid over 35 years with an interest rate of just 1.23%, it added.
The initiative aims to revolutionise agriculture in 28 districts of Purvanchal and Bundelkhand and benefit nearly 10 lakh farmers with 30% participation from women, Adityanath said.
The programme, he added, will support farmers and significantly accelerate agricultural output in the state. Also, 10,000 women producer groups will be linked to the project which also includes sending 500 farmers abroad for exposure to best farming technologies to help strengthen small farmers and reduce regional disparities, it is learnt.
Under the 'AI Pragya' initiative, the state government aims to train 10 lakh youth in artificial intelligence (AI) and other emerging digital technologies. The programme will provide certification in key domains like AI, machine learning, data analytics, and cybersecurity — paving the way for more employment opportunities and a thriving startup ecosystem in the state, the Chief Minister further said.
The initiative will be implemented with the support of various state departments, including Education, Health, Agriculture, Rural Development, Revenue, and Secretariat Administration, officials said. It will not only unlock new job avenues for the youth but also enhance technological efficiency in core sectors such as government services, farming, education and healthcare, they added.
As part of the programme, global technology giants like Microsoft, Intel, HCL, Wadhwani Foundation, Amazon, Google, and 1M1B will collaborate with the state government to launch upskilling initiatives across the state, the statement read.
Speaking at the occasion, the World Bank President claimed there had a remarkable transformation across all sectors in the state. He recognised UP's 'immense potential in tourism, especially in religious, cultural, and eco-tourism'. He pointed out that the state's rich culinary traditions and local crafts have begun gaining global popularity. These unique cultural assets can play a crucial role in further strengthening the state's local economy, Banga added.
He applauded the state government's success in promoting the manufacturing sector, especially with its focus on MSMEs.
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