Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday highlighted agriculture as Uttar Pradesh’s largest employment sector, supporting nearly three crore farmers.
Speaking at the 36th Foundation Day of Uttar Pradesh Council Of Agricultural Research (UPCAR), he stressed that agriculture should drive 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 1.65 crore people.
He stated that the development of Uttar Pradesh is key to India’s 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 this occasion, he visited an agricultural exhibition, released informative booklets and newsletters, and addressed a national seminar titled ‘Developed Agriculture – Developed Uttar Pradesh @ 2047’. He also felicitated distinguished agricultural scientists, young innovators, and FPOs for their contributions to the sector.
Highlighting the importance of context-specific innovation, CM Adityanath said that agricultural research and development must align with India’s diverse climate and soil conditions. “All such possibilities lie within UP,” he noted, adding that the state has a crucial role to play in achieving Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047.
The Chief Minister reaffirmed the state’s commitment to contribute to the nation’s goal of becoming a USD 5 trillion economy by aiming to build a USD 1 trillion economy in Uttar Pradesh 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 stated.
The state also boasts of a strong network of agricultural institutions, including four state-run agricultural universities, with a fifth one 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 Adityanath highlighted that while Uttar Pradesh is home to 16 per cent of the country’s population, it holds only 11 per cent of India’s cultivable land. Remarkably, this land produces over 20 per cent of the nation’s foodgrains. He noted, “The state’s fertile terrain, abundant water resources, and well-levelled land have the potential to triple its current agricultural output. However, realising 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 USD 30 trillion economy target by 2047, Chief Minister 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.
The CM 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 said.
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 centres 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 concluded by emphasising that even modest efforts in agriculture, horticulture, vegetable farming, and animal husbandry can significantly improve the lives of farmers. 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 the UPCAR will play a crucial role in supporting farmers through specialised research and development programs.