Lucknow: In a major boost to agricultural self-reliance, the Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government has announced the establishment of five state-of-the-art Seed Parks across different agro-climatic zones of the state to ensure high-quality seed production at affordable prices for farmers. These parks aim to disrupt the monopoly of private seed companies, improve crop yield, and generate large-scale employment opportunities.
The plan, now approved by the state cabinet, will be implemented with an investment of ₹2,500 crore over the next three years on a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. The first Seed Park is already underway in Lucknow’s Attari-based government agricultural field, spread across 130.63 acres, with a project cost of ₹266.7 crore. The park will feature 26 seed blocks along with cutting-edge facilities for seed processing, storage, speed breeding, and hybrid labs.
These parks are named in honour of former Prime Minister Chaudhary Charan Singh, a legendary figure in Indian agriculture.
Quality Seeds to Bridge Yield Gap
Seed quality is one of the most critical factors in agriculture. Poor seed germination or substandard varieties lead to low yields and economic loss. In 2023–24, over 3,600 out of 1.33 lakh seed samples tested in UP were found substandard. The state currently depends heavily on seed supplies from South India — about 50% of seeds for key crops are sourced from other states, costing the exchequer ₹3,000 crore annually.
The initiative aims to significantly reduce this dependence. Hybrid seeds for wheat, rice, maize, pulses, and oilseeds are largely imported from Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. For instance, UP produces 26.75 quintals of wheat per hectare, compared to Punjab’s 40.35. Similarly, UP’s rice yield is 37.35 quintals per hectare, far behind Haryana’s 45.33. With better seeds, this yield gap could be reduced by 15–20%.
Direct Economic Impact and Employment Generation
The parks are projected to create 6,000 direct and 15,000 indirect jobs across the state. In addition, around 40,000 seed-producing farmers are expected to be directly linked to these seed parks. The government will lease land to investors for 30 years, extendable up to 90 years, as part of an incentive package to attract private players.
The initiative will also enhance Seed Replacement Rate (SSR) — the percentage of quality seed usage in total cultivation — which remains low in the state.
A Step Towards Agricultural Self-Sufficiency
UP has the largest cultivable land in India (162 lakh hectares), with over 80% of it under irrigation, and about 3 crore rural families dependent on farming. The state ranks first in food grain and milk production, and among the top three in fruit and flower output. A move like this will have long-lasting and widespread benefits, contributing to increased revenue, reduced input cost, and a rise in farmer income.
The Yogi government’s seed park initiative is being seen as a game-changer — not just for UP’s agrarian economy, but as a model for agricultural reforms nationwide.
