| Agriculture must drive prosperity, not force migration: CM Yogi | | |  Early Times Report
LUCKNOW, July 22: 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 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 Yogi 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 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 $5 trillion economy by aiming to build a $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% of agricultural land is irrigated," he stated.
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% 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. |
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