Ajay Banga Praises Yogi Government’s Model for Modern, Profitable and Secure Farming
Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh’s agriculture sector has undergone a sweeping transformation under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, integrating knowledge, technology and innovation to make farming safer, more affordable and significantly more profitable. From drone spraying and digital land surveys to e-NAM integration, irrigation expansion and FPO empowerment, the state’s comprehensive modernisation effort has earned praise from World Bank President Ajay Banga, who called UP’s agriculture model “globally exemplary.”
Smart Farming Push Boosts Productivity and Farmer Income
Over the past eight and a half years, the state government has strengthened crop management, soil-health monitoring, seed optimisation and natural farming using digital and scientific tools.
Innovations such as drone spraying, automated irrigation, real-time soil nutrient monitoring, and digital field surveys have enhanced farming efficiency while reducing input costs. These advances, combined with improved advisory systems and market access, have translated into higher agricultural output and increased farmer income.
Ajay Banga lauded Uttar Pradesh for “linking agriculture with modern technology and presenting a world-class model,” noting that the state’s efforts have visibly strengthened the lives of small and marginal farmers.
Training, Tech Access and Direct Support to Farmers
The Yogi government has initiated large-scale training programmes focused on smart farming, engaging young farmers and women-led producer groups.
Village-level advisory mechanisms connecting farmers with scientists and subject experts have enabled rapid on-field solutions for crop diseases, irrigation needs, fertiliser management and market queries.
Quick settlement of crop insurance claims, streamlined digital mandi operations and e-NAM have opened wider markets and ensured farmers get the right price for their produce.
Record Payments, Ethanol Growth and Strong Agri Infrastructure
Uttar Pradesh has achieved record payments to sugarcane farmers, expanded sugar mills and boosted processing capacity — placing the state at the top in ethanol production nationally.
Irrigation projects, the “Har Khet Tak Pani” mission, the ambitious Ken-Betwa Link Project in Bundelkhand and the “Har Ghar Nal Se Jal” initiative have greatly strengthened both agricultural and drinking water supply systems.
The expansion of rural roads, storage facilities, mandis and the cold-chain network has added industrial-level robustness to the state’s agricultural ecosystem.
The government has also taken decisive steps to turn farmers into agri-entrepreneurs, promoting FPOs, agri-drone operators and organic farming.
UP AgriJ Project: A Joint Leap Toward Future-Ready Farming
In a major collaborative step, the World Bank and the Uttar Pradesh government recently launched the UP AgriJ Project, aimed at building a technologically advanced and financially strong agricultural system.
The project is expected to benefit nearly 10 lakh small and marginal farmers, further accelerating the state’s agri-modernisation journey.
A Model for Global Agriculture
World Bank President Ajay Banga, after reviewing on-ground progress, remarked:
“Uttar Pradesh’s agriculture model is excellent for small farmers and beneficial for all. This is not just theory — I have seen it with my own eyes.”
With innovation-driven governance, strong infrastructure and a focus on farmer empowerment, Uttar Pradesh is rapidly emerging as a global example of how technology and policy synergy can reshape agriculture for the future.
