Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath Mandates Comprehensive New Seed Policy and Agricultural Modernization
In a significant move aimed at transforming the agricultural landscape of Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath issued a series of directives on Monday, focusing on the formulation of a robust new seed policy. The policy is designed to prioritize the development of high-yielding, disease-resistant, and climate-resilient seed varieties, specifically engineered to tackle the evolving agricultural challenges anticipated in the coming years.
Focus on Per Hectare Productivity and Quality Assurance
Addressing the issue of shrinking landholdings, the Chief Minister emphasized that the focus should not merely be on expanding acreage but critically on enhancing "per hectare productivity." He stressed the urgent need to prepare a concrete five-year roadmap to elevate the state's seed production capacity, quality, and availability to unprecedented levels.
Yogi Adityanath made it unequivocally clear that maximum use of modern technology is essential across the entire seed production, processing, and storage chain. This technological integration aims to eliminate shortages of certified seeds and empower farmers. To ensure a reliable seed supply, he mandated end-to-end traceability for every seed, leaving no room for adulterated or substandard products. He asserted that every seed packet reaching farmers must be certified, tested, and fully compliant with prescribed standards, with zero tolerance for laxity.
Collaborative Platforms and Infrastructure Development
To accelerate seed research and innovation, the CM emphasized the necessity of bringing agricultural universities, ICAR institutions, UPCAR, and the private seed industry onto a common collaborative platform. This unified approach is expected to streamline the variety-release process and foster breakthroughs in seed technology.
In a bid to promote crop diversification, Yogi Adityanath called for a special strategy to ensure the availability of high-quality seeds for pulses, oilseeds, maize, pearl millet, sorghum, and horticultural crops. To support this initiative, he directed the expedited establishment of at least five Seed Parks across the state over the next five years. These integrated complexes will be equipped with state-of-the-art facilities for production, processing, quality testing, and storage, creating a holistic ecosystem for seed development.
Strengthening Research and Field-Level Coordination
The Chief Minister instructed that Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) in the state be directly linked with seed development programmes. This linkage aims to establish strong coordination between research, training, and the dissemination of technology at the grassroots level. Furthermore, he directed that one KVK in each of the nine climatic zones be developed as a Centre of Excellence. These centers will generate high-quality seeds and technical solutions tailored to region-specific crops, addressing local agricultural needs effectively.
Push for Solar Energy and Intercropping Practices
In a parallel push for sustainability and cost reduction, Yogi Adityanath stressed enhancing energy efficiency in agriculture. He directed that maximum tube wells be connected with solar power supply, a move projected to significantly reduce irrigation costs for farmers while increasing the adoption of clean energy in the agricultural sector.
The CM also advocated for the large-scale implementation of oilseed- and pulse-based intercropping with sugarcane. He highlighted that intercropping high-value crops like mustard, lentil, urad, and moong alongside sugarcane provides farmers with additional production, lower costs, and stable year-round income, thereby strengthening their economic condition. With sugarcane currently cultivated over 29.50 lakh hectares in the state, this strategy is poised to make a substantial impact.
Mission Mode Implementation for Economic Goals
Noting that horizontal expansion of cultivable land is no longer feasible, Yogi Adityanath pointed out that to achieve the target of a trillion-dollar economy, the only viable path is to enhance crop output per unit area. He directed that the comprehensive plan be implemented in mission mode from the financial year 2026-27 to 2030-31. The anticipated additional production is expected to directly increase farmers' income and make a major contribution to the state's Gross Value Added (GVA), marking a pivotal step towards agricultural prosperity in Uttar Pradesh.
