Lucknow: Chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday emphasized the need to enhance agricultural self-sufficiency, pointing out global disruptions that have revealed weaknesses in food and energy supply chains. Speaking at the 6th Uttar Pradesh Agricultural Science Congress, the chief minister highlighted uncertainties in international supply chains, fluctuating fertilizer prices, and the unpredictable availability of petroleum products, which have made reliance on external sources increasingly risky.
“In such circumstances, a country like India, which relies heavily on agriculture, must strengthen its traditional farming methods while incorporating modern technology,” he said. Yogi stressed the importance of building a strong local ecosystem that covers production, processing, and distribution. “A robust local framework can mitigate the impact of global crises while ensuring higher incomes for farmers and economic stability,” added Yogi.
Discussing the roadmap for the sector, he mentioned that agriculture needs to transition “from production to productivity, from productivity to profitability, and ultimately to prosperity,” connecting farmer well-being directly to the vision of an Atmanirbhar Viksit Bharat (Self-reliant Developed India). Highlighting the agricultural performance of Uttar Pradesh, the chief minister noted that despite having only around 11% of the country’s cultivable land, the state supports 16%-17% of India’s population and contributes nearly 21% to total food grain production. He credited policy interventions, scientific practices, and the efforts of farmers for the state’s agricultural growth rate increasing from 8% to approximately 18%.
Reflecting on India’s historical economic strength, Yogi mentioned that the country once held a 44%-45% share in the global economy due to its strong agricultural foundation. “Farmers were not just producers but also artisans and entrepreneurs engaged in processing and manufacturing. Over time, this ecosystem weakened, reducing them to raw material producers,” he said. The chief minister emphasized the role of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, drones, and satellite systems in revolutionizing agriculture. These tools can facilitate real-time crop monitoring, disease detection, precise spraying, and weather-based decision-making.
Yogi also advocated for natural farming as a sustainable long-term solution that reduces input costs while preserving soil health and ecological balance. Regarding market reforms, he highlighted digital agriculture platforms and initiatives such as ‘One Nation, One Mandi’, stating that improved market access and reduced mandi fees are helping farmers secure better prices.
Calling for a shift in perspective, Yogi proposed moving away from the traditional ‘lab to land’ approach to a ‘land is lab’ model, where farmers and scientists collaborate directly in the fields to drive innovation. Discussing reforms in the sugarcane sector, he mentioned that payment delays have significantly decreased, with 107 out of the state’s 122 sugar mills now settling dues within a week. Yogi also noted that irrigation coverage has expanded to 85%-86% of agricultural land, supported by projects like the Saryu Canal National Project, which has brought irrigation to nearly 14 lakh hectares.
In a veiled criticism of previous administrations, the chief minister stated that the agriculture sector before 2017 was plagued by inefficiency, weak procurement systems, and delayed payments. He emphasized that the current government has ensured procurement at Minimum Support Price and direct payments through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), restoring confidence among farmers.
During the event, Yogi honored 15 scientists under the Uttar Pradesh Krishi Vaigyanik Samman Yojana 2025-26, while 30 scientists from the Uttar Pradesh Academy of Agricultural Sciences were also recognized. The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Dr. Satya Prakash of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology in Meerut.
