Latest news with #UttarPradeshAgricultureGrowthandRuralEnterpriseEcosystemStrengthening
Indian Express
09-05-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
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.
Time of India
02-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
With rise in demand for its fruits, veggies in globalmarkets, UP plan to triple exports by 2030
Lucknow: Agriculture is expected to play a pivotal role in achieving the state govt's goal of tripling UP's exports by 2030. According to the national export data, there has been a steady rise in the export of agricultural and food products since the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2024–25, the sector recorded a growth rate of approximately 10% compared to the previous financial year, with many fruits and vegetables gaining access to new international markets, the spokesperson claimed. The interstate waterway—from Prayagraj to Haldia— has played a vital role in increasing vegetable exports from parts of eastern Uttar Pradesh to Gulf nations. The healthcare sector, which has long been a govt priority, has gained fresh momentum post-COVID. It has been driven by changing dietary habits and rising global demand for organic products, particularly in Europe and the US. The state govt is also in the process of setting up a dedicated export hub near Asia's largest international airport at Jewar. This hub will include a state-of-the-art testing laboratory to ensure that global quality benchmarks are consistently met. "Beyond quality assurance, the govt is also promoting agricultural diversification and expanding the reach of natural farming," a govt spokesperson said. He said that the natural farming which is already being practiced along the Ganga and across Bundelkhand is now being systematically promoted throughout the state. "The initiatives like the World Bank-supported Uttar Pradesh Agriculture Growth and Rural Enterprise Ecosystem Strengthening (UP AGREES) project, which focuses on Bundelkhand and Purvanchal, are expected to further enhance the state's export potential in the coming years," he said. Also, the govt is actively expanding irrigation coverage, and the state's nine agro-climatic zones support the cultivation of a wide variety of crops, fruits, and vegetables. Lucknow: Agriculture is expected to play a pivotal role in achieving the state govt's goal of tripling UP's exports by 2030. According to the national export data, there has been a steady rise in the export of agricultural and food products since the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2024–25, the sector recorded a growth rate of approximately 10% compared to the previous financial year, with many fruits and vegetables gaining access to new international markets, the spokesperson claimed. The interstate waterway—from Prayagraj to Haldia— has played a vital role in increasing vegetable exports from parts of eastern Uttar Pradesh to Gulf nations. The healthcare sector, which has long been a govt priority, has gained fresh momentum post-COVID. It has been driven by changing dietary habits and rising global demand for organic products, particularly in Europe and the US. The state govt is also in the process of setting up a dedicated export hub near Asia's largest international airport at Jewar. This hub will include a state-of-the-art testing laboratory to ensure that global quality benchmarks are consistently met. "Beyond quality assurance, the govt is also promoting agricultural diversification and expanding the reach of natural farming," a govt spokesperson said. He said that the natural farming which is already being practiced along the Ganga and across Bundelkhand is now being systematically promoted throughout the state. "The initiatives like the World Bank-supported Uttar Pradesh Agriculture Growth and Rural Enterprise Ecosystem Strengthening (UP AGREES) project, which focuses on Bundelkhand and Purvanchal, are expected to further enhance the state's export potential in the coming years," he said. Also, the govt is actively expanding irrigation coverage, and the state's nine agro-climatic zones support the cultivation of a wide variety of crops, fruits, and vegetables.
Daily Tribune
05-03-2025
- Business
- Daily Tribune
UAE's Aqua Bridge to build aquaculture farm in India
TDT | agencies A UAE aquaculture company linked to the ruling Al-Maktoum family of Dubai has agreed to develop an aquaculture farm and research centre in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh at an initial cost of $461 million. Aqua Bridge Group, whose chairman is Sheikh Ahmed bin Mana bin Khalifa Al-Maktoum, said the partnership project in the Uttar Pradesh town of Unnao includes the development of a 1 million tonne aquafeed plant to supply India's growing aquaculture sector. Sheikh Al-Maktoum also has his own family investment office called AMKM Investments, which invests in technology, food and beverage and real estate, according to its website. 'This transformational project is set to redefine sustainable fisheries and food security in India, addressing local market gaps while driving large scale aquaculture development,' Mohammad Tabish, founder and CEO of Aqua Bridge, said in a LinkedIn post. Aquaculture is the science of cultivating marine or freshwater food fish, such as salmon or trout, under controlled conditions. The India project, which includes a 300 million fish fry hatchery, is in partnership with the World Bank's Uttar Pradesh Agriculture Growth and Rural Enterprise Ecosystem Strengthening (UP-Agrees) programme and the region's government, the company said. It will provide training for 100,000 farmers. The UP-Agrees programme is a $325 million initiative aimed at enhancing farmers' incomes in Uttar Pradesh, focusing on improving crop productivity, promoting digital and climate-resilient agricultural practices and strengthening market connections. The research and development part of the project is dedicated to advancing genetics, disease management and optimised farming techniques. Aqua Bridge is in the process of completing the acquisition of Greek bass and bream producer Avramar, the largest aquaculture producer in the Mediterranean.
