Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh is set to script a new chapter in agricultural modernization and rural development with the launch of the Uttar Pradesh Agriculture Development and Rural Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Strengthening Project (UP-AGREES). The ambitious six-year project (2025–2031), inaugurated by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on January 28, 2025, in the presence of World Bank President Ajay Banga, is backed by a total outlay of ₹4,000 crore.
The project marks one of the largest agricultural partnerships between a state government and the World Bank. Of the total budget, ₹2,737 crore comes as a World Bank loan (35-year repayment, seven-year moratorium, 1.23% interest rate), while ₹1,166 crore is being funded by the Uttar Pradesh government.
Focusing on 28 districts — 21 in Purvanchal (including Varanasi, Azamgarh, and Gorakhpur) and 7 in Bundelkhand (including Jhansi, Banda, and Chitrakoot) — the initiative targets regions most vulnerable to climate change. Its overarching goals include a 30–35% increase in farm productivity, digital adoption in agriculture, strengthened rural entrepreneurship, and enhanced farmer income. Over 1 million farmers, including 30% women, along with fish cultivators and agri-based MSMEs, will directly benefit from the project.
CM Yogi described UP-AGREES as a “milestone in India’s agricultural revolution”, linking it to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat 2047 vision. Uttar Pradesh, which currently contributes nearly 23% to India’s total food grain output, aims to lead the country’s shift toward climate-smart and digitally integrated farming.
Vision: From Agriculture to Self-Reliance
UP-AGREES seeks to build sustainable agricultural value chains, enhance financial access, and create opportunities for value addition. Its major goals include:
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Productivity Growth: Introducing Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) practices to increase yields by 30–35% — from 10 quintals to 14–15 quintals per acre.
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Digital Transformation: Launching UP AGRIVERSE, an AI-, IoT-, GIS-, drone-, and big data-driven ecosystem — the foundation of Agriculture 3.0.
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Rural Entrepreneurship: Establishing agro-clusters, improving fishery productivity with ICAR collaboration.
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Inclusive Growth: Empowering women and marginalized farmers (SC/ST/OBC); creating 10,000 women producer groups.
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Global Exposure: Facilitating international training for 500 farmers to enhance global competitiveness.
Project Architecture: Four Core Components (2025–2031)
| Component | Description | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Agricultural Productivity Enhancement | Climate-smart inputs, machinery modernization, natural resource management. | Helps 10 lakh farmers adopt CSA, increasing yields by 30%+. |
| 2. Agro Cluster Development | Establishment of competitive clusters for fruits, vegetables, and grains; fishery promotion with ICAR support. | Doubled fish productivity, improved market linkage. |
| 3. Digital & Financial Ecosystem Strengthening | UP AGRIVERSE for AI/IoT/GIS-based monitoring; data-sharing protocols for policy decisions. | Builds a digital agriculture ecosystem; integrates e-Kisan Credit Card (eKCC). |
| 4. Project Management, Knowledge & Learning | Capacity-building programs, project monitoring, overseas training for farmers. | Empowers 10,000 women-led groups; promotes knowledge exchange. |
The project will be implemented in two phases — beginning with the 28 identified districts, followed by expansion across the state. Infrastructure investments worth ₹2.25 lakh crore will complement the project’s core development goals.
Farmers’ Success Stories: Change on the Ground
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Ramu Singh, Jhansi (Bundelkhand):
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Support: Climate-smart inputs and drone-based field monitoring.
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Outcome: 20% rise in wheat yield, earning ₹50,000 monthly.
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Quote: “UP-AGREES has turned drought into opportunity.”
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Women SHG, Varanasi (Purvanchal):
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Support: Agro-cluster integration and digital marketing tools.
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Outcome: 41 women, ₹1 crore annual turnover, vegetable exports initiated.
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Fish Farmer Collective, Gorakhpur:
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Support: Reservoir capacity enhancement with ICAR collaboration.
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Outcome: Productivity doubled; over 100 families benefited.
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CM Yogi Adityanath’s Vision: Agriculture as Growth Engine
Speaking at the launch, CM Yogi Adityanath emphasized:
“UP-AGREES will transform Purvanchal and Bundelkhand into agricultural hubs. With 10 lakh farmers and 30% women participants, productivity will rise by 30%. It’s a key step toward building a $1 trillion UP economy. The World Bank’s partnership is invaluable in this journey.”
In a high-level meeting in August 2024, he had remarked:
“This project will double farmers’ income and turn climate challenges into opportunities through digital AGRIVERSE — the dawn of Agriculture 3.0.”
On his official X handle, the Chief Minister reiterated:
#UPAGREES – From Agriculture to Self-Reliance. A true partner for every farmer!
A New Horizon for Uttar Pradesh’s Agriculture
With UP-AGREES, Uttar Pradesh embarks on a mission to empower 10 lakh farmers through climate-smart, digitally enabled, and inclusive agriculture. The ₹4,000-crore project aims not only to modernize farming but also to position the state as a global agri-hub and rural innovation leader.
As CM Yogi’s government steers this transformative initiative, the message is clear — the seeds of change are being sown today for a self-reliant, prosperous, and resilient Uttar Pradesh.
Jai Kisan! Jai Uttar Pradesh!
