UP CM stresses on need to accelerate research, innovation in agriculture

New Delhi: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday underlined the urgent need to enhance research and innovation in the agriculture sector, as he highlighted the state's rich natural resources and a robust network of agricultural institutions.

Speaking at the 36th Foundation Day of the Uttar Pradesh Council of Agricultural Research and a national seminar in Lucknow, the Chief Minister said, "Nature and God have been kind to Uttar Pradesh -- we have vast fertile land, abundant water resources, and over 86 percent of cultivable land is irrigated. Yet, our research outcomes and their implementation remain limited."

PSU Watch is now on Whatsapp Channels. Click here to join

He pointed out that only 25-30 percent of farmers in the state are currently able to apply scientific research effectively in their fields, which he described as a concerning statistic given the state's agricultural potential.

"With just 11 percent of the country's agricultural land, Uttar Pradesh produces over 20 percent of India's total foodgrain output. But I firmly believe that if we fully utilise our land, water, and research capabilities, we can triple our current productivity," he said.

Adityanath called for a focused and sustained push toward agricultural research and innovation to realise this potential. He reminded the audience, which included scientists and researchers, that "nations that have invested in R&D have progressed the most -- whether it's in space science, IT, or atomic research."

He stressed that Uttar Pradesh has the capacity not only to feed the country but to contribute significantly to global food security, especially in sectors like horticulture and vegetables.

Highlighting the mismatch between foreign solutions and local needs, he said, "What works for Europe may not work for India. We need research tailored to our soil, climate and environment."

CM Adityanath said over 15 agricultural research institutions, along with 89 Agri Science centres and several state and central agricultural universities, are already working in the state, but the pace of progress must accelerate.

Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of making India a developed country by 2047, the Chief Minister said, "States must play their part. Uttar Pradesh must aim to become a USD 1 trillion economy, and we have set short-term, medium-term, and long-term goals accordingly."

He added that the state's Vision 2047 blueprint includes not just agriculture, but also improvements in infrastructure, education, healthcare, and per capita income. He emphasized that public trust and participation will come only when short- and medium-term goals are also clearly articulated and achieved.

The Chief Minister urged all state agricultural universities, research councils, and science centres to initiate concrete steps in research, development, and innovation aligned with the specific needs of the region.

"The time has come for Uttar Pradesh to lead the nation in agricultural advancement through science and strategy," he said.

Adityanath highlighted agriculture as Uttar Pradesh's largest employment sector, supporting nearly three crore farmers.

He also stressed that agriculture should drive prosperity, not migration, and called for greater adoption of innovation and research to transform the sector.

He noted that the MSME sector follows agriculture in employment, engaging 1.65 crore people.

The CM stated that the development of Uttar Pradesh is key to India's progress. "If UP advances, no power in the world can stop India from becoming a developed nation. Every individual must make honest efforts in their respective fields to achieve this shared goal," he said.

He reaffirmed the state's commitment to contribute to the nation's goal of becoming a USD 5 trillion economy by aiming to build a USD 1 trillion economy in Uttar Pradesh by 2029.

The CM emphasised that nations that have invested in research and innovation, regardless of their size, are the ones that have progressed. "Progress comes to those who focus on R&D, irrespective of their sector," he said.

Looking ahead to India's USD 30 trillion economy target by 2047, Chief Minister Adityanath urged a serious reflection on Uttar Pradesh's future role across key sectors like agriculture, infrastructure, education, industry, and healthcare.

He recalled the establishment of a Centre of Excellence in collaboration with Israel, where the training and dedication of Indian scientists complemented Israeli technical expertise.

He questioned the limited expansion of such models and called for renewed efforts. "If Israel can achieve this, why can't our agricultural universities replicate and expand it?" he asked.

He lamented that farmers are still being forced to migrate due to a lack of progress in agriculture and stressed the urgency of reversing this trend.

(PSU Watch– India's Business News centre that places the spotlight on PSUs, Bureaucracy, Defence and Public Policy is now on Google News. Click here to follow. Also, join PSU Watch Channel in your Telegram. You may also follow us on Twitter here and stay updated.)