UP Government Boosts Farmers' Income Through Horticulture and Vegetable Farming Initiatives

Lucknow, Jul 20 (KNN) The Uttar Pradesh government, under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's leadership, has launched a series of ambitious initiatives aimed at boosting farmers' income through agricultural diversification, with a strong focus on horticulture and vegetable farming.

In a recent meeting of the Rajya Mandi Parishad, CM Adityanath directed the establishment of tissue culture laboratories at four agricultural and technological universities across the state. These labs, funded by the mandi parishad, are designed to ensure high-quality planting of horticultural crops.

The government is also set to establish a horticulture college in Raebareli, with land already identified in the village of Padhera in Harcharanpur. 

The agriculture department has transferred the land to the horticulture department, and funds have been released for the first phase of work. The college will offer both degree courses and short-term training programs.

According to the 2023 agroforestry report, UP's share in fruit and vegetable farming has increased from 7.2 per cent to 9.2 per cent over the last decade. This growth is attributed to the government's efforts to promote agricultural diversification and market-driven farming practices.

A key initiative in this effort is the establishment of centres of excellence and mini centres of excellence to produce quality plants for farmers at minimal rates. These centres aim to provide farmers with access to high-quality planting materials, thereby improving crop yields and quality.

The government is also promoting controlled farming through temperature and humidity regulation. This approach allows for the cultivation of off-season crops and ensures more consistent yields throughout the year.

Modernization of mandis (agricultural markets) is another focus area. These upgrades are expected to improve the efficiency of agricultural marketing and provide farmers with better prices for their produce.

The state has set up Indo-Israel centres of excellence for fruits and vegetables in Basti and Kannauj. These centres leverage Israeli agricultural expertise to introduce advanced farming techniques and technologies to UP's farmers.

Protected farming using Indo-Israel technology is being advanced across the state. This technology helps regulate moisture and temperature, allowing for the cultivation of high-quality plants and vegetables in controlled environments.

The government aims to increase the area under horticultural crops from 11.6 per cent to 16 per cent by 2027, and boost food processing from 6 per cent to 20 per cent. In the past seven years, the area under fruit and vegetable cultivation has increased by over 101,000 hectares, with yield growth exceeding 0.7 per cent.

UP's nine agro-climatic zones offer diverse opportunities for growing various fruits, vegetables, and flowers. The initiative is expected to particularly benefit small and marginal farmers, who comprise about 90 per cent of the state's farming population.

As these programs continue to develop, they are poised to transform UP's agricultural landscape, potentially making it a leader in horticultural production and food processing in the coming years.

(KNN Bureau)