UP to Frame Digital Agriculture Policy | 15 Oct 2025

Why in News? 

During the review of the Uttar Pradesh Agriculture Growth and Rural Enterprise Ecosystem Strengthening Project (UP-Agrees), the Chief Minister directed officials to formulate a Digital Agriculture Policy aligned with national technical standards to ensure a secure and robust cyber infrastructure. 

• Emphasizing the vision of “From Agriculture to Industry,” he also highlighted the importance of value addition, processing, and local employment generation.  

Key Points 

• About: The proposed Digital Agriculture System will provide real-time, integrated access to data on crops, weather, seeds, irrigation, fertilizers, insurance, markets, logistics, and institutional services, thereby promoting innovation-driven research and data-based decision-making in the agriculture sector. 
  • The Chief Minister directed that, under the coordination of the Uttar Pradesh Diversified Agriculture Support Project (UP DASP), the initiative be implemented in partnership with agricultural universities, Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), and Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs). 
• UP DASP: The Rs 4,000-crore (US$500 million) World Bank-supported project is being implemented over six years across 28 districts in eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bundelkhand. The project focuses on: 
  • Promoting sustainable agricultural growth aligned with changing climatic conditions. 
  • Strengthening market linkages and resource optimisation. 
  • Enhancing productivity and supporting the development of agro-based industries. 
• Productivity Enhancement Initiatives: Under the productivity enhancement programme, emphasis is being placed on: 
  • Land development and water conservation. 
  • Soil health improvement and adoption of modern, technology-based agricultural practices. 
  • Connecting small and marginal farmers with technical support, training, and marketing facilities. 
• Commodity Cluster Development: Clusters are being developed for- 
  • Peanut clusters in Bundelkhand. 
  • Red chili and vegetable clusters in Varanasi. 
  • Banana clusters between Barabanki and Azamgarh. 
• Fisheries Sector Development: Comprehensive measures are being implemented under the cluster approach to: 
  • Enhance fish production and productivity. 
  • Ensure quality seed supply and adoption of modern technologies. 
  • Strengthen management from production to marketing.
  • The project aims to develop around 90,000 hectares for fish farming, benefiting nearly one lakh families.
• Agricultural Finance: The Chief Minister emphasized the need to strengthen the agricultural financial system by: 
  • Expanding credit facilities for small and marginal farmers and agro-based micro and small enterprises. 
  • Establishing robust risk-management mechanisms. 
  • Encouraging private investment in the agriculture sector.