Lucknow: In a major boost to agricultural innovation and farmer training in Uttar Pradesh, the Union Government has approved the establishment of three new Centres of Excellence (CoE) in the districts of Mirzapur, Barabanki, and Jhansi. These centres will focus on the production, training, and demonstration of advanced techniques in dragon fruit, dates, citrus fruits, and floriculture & vegetables, with the aim to modernize and upscale traditional farming practices across the state.
The announcement was made during a press conference at his official residence in Lucknow by Dinesh Pratap Singh, the Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Horticulture, Agricultural Marketing, Agricultural Foreign Trade, and Agricultural Export.
Barabanki: Indo-Dutch Collaboration for Vegetable and Flower CoE
A Centre of Excellence for Vegetables and Flowers will be set up in Sonikpur village, Trivediganj block, Haidergarh tehsil of Barabanki district. For the first time, the Netherlands (Dutch government) has been brought on board as a partner in this initiative. Dutch experts have already visited the proposed site. The centre will serve as a platform to introduce high-yielding varieties, modern propagation techniques, and training programs to boost productivity and flower cultivation.
Mirzapur: CoE for Dragon Fruit and Dates
In Devri Kala village, Marihan tehsil, Mirzapur will house a CoE dedicated to dragon fruit and date palm cultivation. Technical support will be provided by the Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bengaluru, and Agricultural University, Kota (Rajasthan). The centre will facilitate sapling production, introduce climate-resilient varieties, and train farmers in post-harvest and marketing techniques.
Jhansi: Indo-Israel Supported Citrus CoE
In Baruasagar, Jhansi, a Centre of Excellence will focus on citrus fruits such as lemons, kinnow, mosambi, and more. This centre will receive technical backing from the Indo-Israel Agricultural Project, with Israeli experts contributing best practices in citrus farming, orchard management, and micro-irrigation technologies.
Objective: Farmer Training and Agricultural Transformation
Minister Singh emphasized that these Centres of Excellence will serve as live laboratories to demonstrate innovative farming techniques, enabling farmers to improve productivity, profitability, and market linkage. The centres will offer hands-on training on nursery techniques, crop protection, sustainable farming, and use of precision tools in agriculture.
“These initiatives are not just about showcasing global technology but about equipping our farmers with skills to move from traditional practices to modern horticulture-based income models,” the minister said.
UP: A Growing Leader in CoE Initiatives
Uttar Pradesh currently ranks second in India in terms of the number of operational Centres of Excellence under the Indo-Israel partnership. The state already has four functioning CoEs:
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Basti (Fruits & Vegetables)
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Kannauj (Vegetables)
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Saharanpur (Fruits & Vegetables)
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Alambagh, Lucknow (Ornamental Plants)
Six more are under construction, including:
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Kaushambi (Fruits)
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Chandauli (Vegetables)
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Saharanpur & Raebareli (Honey production)
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Hapur & Kushinagar (Aeroponic Potato Cultivation)
The minister concluded that with these new centres, Uttar Pradesh is poised to become a national hub for agri-horticulture excellence, empowering farmers with world-class infrastructure and knowledge.
