Uttar Pradesh Government Announced Big Budget for Agriculture Sector Here are Some Highlights

The Uttar Pradesh government presented the state budget for the fiscal year 2024-25 on Monday. During this announcement, the Yogi government made several significant declarations for the agricultural sector. It also expressed its commitment to implementing crucial schemes for farmers in the coming times. Uttar Pradesh holds a crucial position in the country's agricultural sector, and the government aims to delight farmers, fostering development in agriculture and ensuring prosperity for them. Additionally, cultivating will become more accessible for farmers. Let's delve into the key highlights of this year's budget concerning the agricultural sector.

Budget Highlights:

Uttar Pradesh has not only achieved self-reliance but has also established itself as a surplus state in terms of food grain production.

1. The total reported agricultural area in Uttar Pradesh is 241.70 lakh hectares, with 160.95 lakh hectares dedicated to cultivation. The state aims to achieve a 5.1% growth rate in the development of the agricultural sector.
2. A provision of ₹2400 crores is proposed for providing electricity supply to farmers' private borewells at subsidized rates, which is 25% higher compared to the current fiscal year.
3. A budget allocation of ₹449.45 crores is proposed for the implementation of the PM Kusum scheme, more than double the amount allocated in the current fiscal year.
4. Three new schemes are set to commence for encouraging agriculture, namely the State Agriculture Development Scheme, World Bank-supported UP Agri-Ex Project, and the establishment of automatic weather stations and rain gauges in development blocks and gram panchayats across the state. For these initiatives, budget allocations of ₹200 crores and ₹60 crores are proposed, respectively.
5. The Chief Minister Crop Security Scheme is underway, with a proposed allocation of ₹50 crores. These initiatives aim to propel Uttar Pradesh's food processing industry, strengthen agricultural infrastructure, and enhance overall prosperity for farmers in the state.

Horticulture and Food Processing Sector:

As per the Uttar Pradesh Food Processing Industry Policy of 2022, there is a proposed allocation of ₹300 crores for providing financial incentives to eligible units, marking a threefold increase compared to the current fiscal year. Additionally, the Uttar Pradesh Food Processing Industry Policy of 2017 includes a provision of ₹50 crores, reflecting a 25% rise from the current fiscal year.

Sugarcane Development and Sugar Industry:

The average sugarcane productivity in the state has risen from 72 metric tons per hectare to 84 metric tons per hectare. The integration of sugarcane cultivation with allied crops has led to a 25% additional income for farmers. In the ongoing crushing season of 2023-2024, it is anticipated that sugarcane cultivation will span 29.66 lakh hectares, with sugar production surpassing 110 lakh tons. Progress is being made to enhance the operational capacity of farmer cooperative sugar mills, including the expansion of Nanglamata Cooperative Sugar Mill in Saharanpur district from 2500 TCD to 4900 TCD. Furthermore, the establishment of new sugar mills in Pipraich and Munderwa, with a combined capacity of 5000 TCD, involves the installation of a 27-megawatt electricity generation plant and a sulfurless refined sugar plant. Efforts are also underway to establish an ethanol production facility with a daily capacity of one lakh liters, alongside the installation of a compressed biogas plant. These initiatives underscore the state's dedication to advancing the sugarcane and sugar industry, promoting sustainability, and embracing technological progress.