Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, on Saturday, said that in the new Uttar Pradesh of the new India, farmers and their efforts were respected.

The result of the hard work of the farmers is reflected in the state achieving a 9 per cent growth rate in agricultural development, he pointed out.

The chief minister, however, remarked that to achieve the goal of making Uttar Pradesh a trillion-dollar economy by 2027-28 in line with the vision of the prime minister, the current agricultural growth rate needs to triple.

Addressing a gathering on the occasion of Kisan Samman Diwas at Lok Bhavan, marking the birth anniversary of former prime minister Chaudhary Charan Singh, the chief minister said, “The farmers are not only dedicated to increasing the honour of Uttar Pradesh, but also contributing to establishing the state as a significant part of the country’s economy.”

Chief Minister Yogi also inaugurated the Kisan Mitra AI app and honoured farmers, agricultural entrepreneurs, farmer producer organisations (FPOs) and agricultural scientists at the event. A short film was also screened during the programme. The chief minister also released the Yash Gatha Vikas Yatra booklet. He highlighted the facilities provided to farmers by the Uttar Pradesh government.

Chief Minister Yogi said that Chaudhary Charan Singh was a freedom fighter, a good administrator and a great leader of farmers. He quoted him saying that “India cannot become rich as long as farmers remain poor, and rural India is the real India”.

“According to Chaudhary Saheb, the path to India’s prosperity passes through the fields and barns. He believed that an aware and empowered rural population is the foundation of the largest democracy. Chaudhary Charan Singh, through various initiatives, worked to bring about positive changes in the lives of farmers during his time,” he stated.

Chief Minister Yogi further said that in the past nine and a half years people had been witness to a changing India. “For the first time, farmers are feeling that they too are part of the primary agenda of a government,” he remarked.

Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, initiatives like PM Kisan Fasal Bima, Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana, minimum support price (MSP) with one and a half times the cost, and PM Kisan Samman Nidhi have brought about significant changes in the lives of farmers, the chief minister pointed out.

He added that 15 installments of PM Kisan Samman Nidhi had been disbursed to farmers so far and in UP alone, over Rs 60,000 crore had reached the accounts of more than 2.61 crore farmers.

Yogi said, “We can make agriculture profitable by making changes and reforms. Therefore, efforts have been made to provide additional irrigation facilities to 22-23 lakh hectares of land in view of the climatic condition of UP. Sugarcane farmers have received more than Rs 2.25 lakh crore in their accounts in the last six years. Direct procurement of paddy and wheat and the benefit of MSP through DBT (direct benefit transfer) have been provided for the first time.”

He emphasised that the government’s schemes have laid the groundwork for self-reliance, adding that programmes have also been organised to promote millets (Shree Anna). He added that actions have been taken in natural farming to ensure that every market, agricultural science centre and certifications from universities result in higher profits for farmers. “This process has been expedited through the efforts of Shri Anna,” he remarked.

Yogi mentioned that the prime minister has also declared 2023 as the Year of Millets from the perspective of the UN International Year of Millets for international branding through the medium of Shree Ann.

The chief minister mentioned that the government had recently launched an application through which artificial intelligence (AI) could be utilised by farmers.

“Now, every question of the farmers can be answered through a smartphone. Additionally, the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra is going on. In some time, two crore ‘drone didis’ will be ready. Through drones, spraying of medicine, fertilisers and pesticides can be done in one hundred acres of farmland within an hour,” Chief Minister Yogi informed the gathering.

He said that by collectively engaging in FPOs, farmers could earn significant profits through farming and food processing. Regarding the concept of warehousing, the chief minister mentioned that it can help farmers supply their produce to the market when the prices are favourable. For this, the construction of warehouses is being increased at every development block level through FPOs, he added.

“Now, healthcare for Mother Earth will also be provided alongside humans. The PM Soil Health Card is an example of this initiative.” he added.

Officers doing commendable work in stubble management were also recognised. The chief minister said that the benefit of the experience of the successful farmers should be shared with other farmers.