The Uttar Pradesh Government, the Department of Economic Affairs (DEA), and the World Bank recently held negotiations for the Rs. 3,903 crore Uttar Pradesh Agricultural Growth and Rural Enterprise Ecosystem Strengthening project. The discussions took place in New Delhi, with Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Singh (1988-batch IAS officer) representing the state government.
The six-year project aims to revitalize agriculture and allied sectors in Uttar Pradesh, boost productivity, and connect smallholder farmers to high-value commodity clusters. Singh emphasized the project’s role in supporting the state’s goal of becoming a trillion-dollar economy by 2030. He also highlighted its focus on high-value crop clusters and strengthening the fisheries ecosystem, particularly in the eastern and Bundelkhand regions.
Additionally, the project will establish a digital agriculture platform to provide farmers with real-time insights, helping optimize resources, improve resilience, and increase productivity.
“I am confident that Uttar Pradesh’s farmers can achieve remarkable success with exposure to the best national and international practices,” said Mr. Singh.
Key components of the project include enhancing climate-resilient productivity, developing value-added commodity clusters, and strengthening the state’s digital and financial infrastructure. The project also aligns with the upcoming operational launch of Jewar airport by mid-2025, which will open new export opportunities for local produce.
World Bank’s Country Director for India, Mr. Auguste Tano Kouamé, expressed strong support for the project, reaffirming the bank’s commitment to assisting Uttar Pradesh in its efforts. The World Bank’s board of executive directors is expected to review and approve the project by mid-December 2024.
