Lucknow, Feb 17 (UNI) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday emphasised the unwavering commitment of the double-engine government to empower farmers, ensuring opportunities for progress in every circumstance.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the 55th Regional Fruit, Vegetable and Flower Exhibition 2024 at Raj Bhawan, the CM said that UP, despite constituting only 11 percent of India’s total cultivable land, contributes over 20 percent to the country’s overall food grain production.
He inaugurated the exhibition with Governor Anandiben Patel. Expressing gratitude to the Governor for her steadfast commitment to hosting this event annually within the Raj Bhawan courtyard, he underscored its significance in fostering agricultural advancement.
Yogi said, “Within UP, though farmers utilise only 10 percent of cultivable land for horticulture they contribute a remarkable 24 percent to the total GDP of agriculture.”
He stressed the pivotal role of horticultural farming alongside traditional methods in significantly augmenting farmers’ incomes. In recognition of pioneering efforts, progressive farmers across UP, championing innovations such as dragon fruit, strawberries and advanced techniques like polyhouse farming, were felicitated at the ceremony.
Subsequently, the Governor and Chief Minister visited the exhibition, which spans three days from February 17 to 19. CM Yogi engaged with department officials and farmers, seeking insights into produce varieties, import-export dynamics, and agricultural trends. Together, they unveiled a commemorative souvenir marking the occasion.
He lauded the Governor’s consistent support, highlighting her provision of the Raj Bhawan courtyard for the exhibition, which draws farmers and enthusiasts from across the state. He emphasized aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision to increase farmers’ incomes manifold and bolster rural economies, thereby combatting malnutrition and enhancing overall well-being through enriched nutrition from horticultural produce.
The event witnessed the felicitation of several progressive farmers, including Vishnu Dutt Pandey from Rae Bareli, Ayush Agarwal from Pilibhit, and Usha Upadhyay from Saharanpur, by Governor Anandiben Patel and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.