Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath headed a meeting with the Board of Directors of the State Agricultural Produce Market Council on June 19. The Chief Minister commended the State Agricultural Produce Market Council for its relentless efforts in prioritizing the well-being of farmers.
Despite minimizing the mandi fee, the mandis have demonstrated remarkable contributions to revenue generation. The financial year 2022-23 witnessed an income of Rs 1,520.95 crore, showcasing a substantial increase from the previous year's income of Rs 614 crore. Additionally, the first two months of the current financial year contributed Rs 251.61 crore in revenue. The commendable growth in revenue from mandis indicates their strong performance.
To enhance the global competitiveness of crops, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath proposed the establishment of a tissue culture laboratory at Acharya Narendra Dev University of Agriculture and Technology in Kumarganj (Ayodhya). This laboratory would be dedicated to producing high-quality planting materials, ensuring the planting of disease-free horticultural crops. It is envisioned that this laboratory would occupy a spacious campus of at least 3 hectares, and the funds for its establishment will be provided by the Mandi Parishad.
Farmers Scholarship Scheme
Furthermore, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath addressed the Chief Minister Farmers Scholarship Scheme, which has proven immensely beneficial. Currently, a monthly scholarship of Rs 3000 is awarded to students pursuing agriculture and home science in five universities and 23 colleges. The Chief Minister proposed the inclusion of Agriculture and Technology University in Banda, Aligarh Muslim University, Rani Lakshmibai Central Agricultural University in Jhansi, Bundelkhand University in Jhansi, and 37 other colleges to expand the scheme's reach, enabling more youths to avail themselves of its benefits.
CM Yogi Adityanath also suggested the expansion of outlets for natural and organic products up to the district headquarters. Emphasizing the convenience of farmers, the state government has constructed numerous rural haats and modern farmer's markets. The Chief Minister recommended the construction of new "Haat Paiths" and Kisan Mandis tailored to local needs, ensuring their proper maintenance and allocating space for street vendors.
Agriculture Universities Hostels
During the meeting, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath highlighted the importance of well-lit and water-free mandis. Efforts to construct hostels in agricultural universities, with the support of the Mandi Parishad, were acknowledged and the Chief Minister urged for their timely completion, emphasizing the need for quality construction. He further stressed the necessity of inspecting these under-construction hostels under the guidance of the Agriculture Minister.
Another key aspect discussed was the utilization of unused land and buildings across various districts of Uttar Pradesh. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath called for a systematic plan to effectively harness these resources. The state government has been actively implementing policy initiatives to promote agriculture and food processing, with a particular focus on natural farming. In line with these efforts, an 'Agri Mall' is being established in the capital city of Lucknow.
This initiative aims to provide farmers with fair prices for their produce, effective branding, and a reliable market. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath urged prompt action in setting up the Agri Mall to facilitate the direct selling of fruits and vegetables by farmers.
