Government of India, Uttar Pradesh Government, and World Bank Discuss Proposed Uttar Pradesh Agriculture Development and Rural Enterprise Strengthening Ecosystem (UPAGREES) Project

New Delhi : The Government of India, in representation through the Department of Economic Affairs (DEA) under the Ministry of Finance, engaged in discussions with the Government of Uttar Pradesh and the World Bank regarding the proposed ₹3,903 crore Uttar Pradesh Agriculture Development and Rural Enterprise Strengthening Ecosystem (UPAGREES) project. Representing the Uttar Pradesh government, Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Singh participated in an all-day meeting in New Delhi, where he presented a comprehensive overview of agriculture’s significant role in the state’s economy and its potential to propel Uttar Pradesh towards its goal of becoming a one-trillion-dollar economy by 2030.

The proposed UPAGREES project is set to be implemented over the next six years. Its objectives include boosting crop productivity, establishing clusters for high-value commodities, and strengthening the fisheries ecosystem in the eastern and Bundelkhand regions of the state to modernize agriculture and allied sectors in Uttar Pradesh. The project also aims to develop a robust statewide digital platform and enhance the agri-finance ecosystem. During his presentation, the Chief Secretary emphasized UPAGREES’s ambition to establish Uttar Pradesh as a major export hub by adhering to global standards in production, processing, and testing. He highlighted the strategic advantage of modern infrastructure, including the Jewar Airport.

Key Components of the Project:

• Productivity Growth: Facilitating better access to climate-resilient inputs, optimizing the use of natural resources, and promoting innovations to enhance productivity.
• Commodity Clusters: Assisting small farmers to integrate into value chains for selected high-value commodities, improve yield, add value, and increase farmers’ income. These clusters will establish a network of producers, agribusinesses, and public institutions.
• Digital and Financial Ecosystem: Developing a statewide digital agriculture ecosystem to disseminate real-time information, such as weather advisories and market price updates.

On this occasion, Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Singh stated that farmers in Uttar Pradesh could achieve remarkable successes if exposed to the best national and international practices. The design of the proposed UPAGREES project aims to integrate global knowledge and facilitate knowledge exchanges. With the right resources and support, a robust agricultural economy can be built, supplying high-quality produce to global markets, thereby creating new income opportunities for farmers.

This presentation received substantial support from the Department of Economic Affairs and World Bank officials. Auguste Tano Kouame, World Bank’s Country Director for India, expressed the commitment to assist the Uttar Pradesh government in implementing this potentially transformative project.

The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors is expected to consider project approval by mid-December 2024.