UP green plan: Use tech to help boost agriculture

Over the next few years, the state aims to increase value of farm exports from ₹20,000 crore to ₹50,000 crore by boosting productivity and food processing

- SANJEEB MUKHERJEE

As Uttar Pradesh (UP) works for growth and prosperity, one sector that is driving this transformation is agriculture and farming.

The state has been a leader in agriculture in several respects, but after years of neglect and apathy, the current state administration under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is putting special emphasis on the sector that employs no less than 68 per cent of the state's population.

Agriculture in UP is dominated by small and marginal farmers, who own less than two hectares of land each. Data sourced from various agencies shows that almost 93 per cent of the state's farmers are categorised as "small and marginal"—this translates into around 21.59 million farmer households. The rest almost 1.76 million households are categorised as "large or medium" farmers.

With such a large section of farmers who own small land parcels, uplifting them will automatically push up the state's GSDP (gross state domestic product) and pitch rural recovery.

And, the results are there for everyone to see. Data shows that between 2012-13 and 2018-19, wheat production in the state has risen from 31.5 million tonnes to 38.1 million tonnes. Foodgrain production during the same period increased by 5.23 per cent while that of pulses jumped by 9.09 per cent and oilseeds by 14.71 per cent.