CM Yogi inaugurates ‘Krishi Bharat 2024’ in Lucknow; 2 MoUs signed with country partner the Netherlands

Lucknow : In the past decade, significant efforts have been made across the country to free farmers from the burden of high-interest loans and guide them toward self-reliance. However, there is still room for improvement, remarked Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday at the inauguration of the Krishi Bharat 2024 program.

The four-day agricultural and technology event, taking place at Vrindavan Yojana Ground, highlights the importance of integrating agriculture with entrepreneurship and employing modern technology to increase farmers’ income.

He said, “Our focus should be on advancing the agricultural sector with enhanced technology. Given the diverse agro-climatic zones within the country, each state brings unique experiences, and regions have shown remarkable progress—even under challenging circumstances worldwide. By sharing best practices, we can learn much from one another.”

Before the event, CM Yogi participated in a bilateral meeting with partner country the Netherlands, where he met with a delegation led by the country’s Deputy Agriculture Minister Jan-Kees Goet and Ambassador to India Marisa Gerards.

During the meeting, two Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed between the Uttar Pradesh government and the Netherlands, and CM Yogi toured various exhibition stalls.

The Krishi Bharat Exhibition spans 20,000 square meters, showcasing innovations and sustainable developments in agriculture. Featuring over 250 exhibitors, the event is expected to attract more than 1 lakh farmers and visitors.

The exhibition highlights advancements in agriculture, dairy, food processing equipment, and other agri-services and technologies. Organized by the CII, Krishi Bharat serves as a state and national pavilion, presenting world-class agricultural innovations.

While inaugurating the four-day Krishi Bharat program, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath extended his congratulations to the people of Uttar Pradesh on the 555th Prakash Parv of Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Kartik Purnima, and the 150th birth anniversary of Dharti Aaba, Bhagwan Birsa Munda, a symbol of tribal pride.

Expressing gratitude to the CII, CM Yogi acknowledged its efforts in organizing Agrotech in India since 2000. For the first time, this prestigious event is being held in Uttar Pradesh, moving beyond its traditional location in Chandigarh—a milestone of great significance.

Partnering with the CII for this event, the Netherlands is the official country partner, while nations like Australia, Canada, Uganda, Spain, and the UK, along with agricultural experts and stakeholders, are also participating.

CM Yogi emphasized Uttar Pradesh’s vital role in Indian agriculture, noting that while the state accounts for 17% of India’s population (25 crore people) and only 11% of the country’s cultivable land, it contributes 20% of the nation’s total agricultural output. This remarkable achievement reflects the state’s abundant water resources and fertile land.

Highlighting the untapped potential, he stated that with the integration of digital agriculture and advanced technologies, agricultural productivity could increase by three to four times.

CM Yogi emphasized the need to reduce agricultural costs, adopt modern technology, and minimize reliance on chemical fertilizers by utilizing natural resources. He highlighted the importance of raising farmer awareness, ensuring market access for quality seeds, and connecting agriculture with entrepreneurship to drive transformative changes in the sector.

Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, significant steps have been taken to benefit farmers, Yogi noted. Initiatives like soil testing, agricultural insurance, enhanced irrigation, and the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi, which benefits 12 crore farmers across the country, are paving the way for progress, he pointed out.

He expressed satisfaction over discussions with the Netherlands Ambassador during her recent visit to Uttar Pradesh, which led to the signing of two key Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) between the state and the Netherlands. These agreements, including Government-to-Government and Business-to-Business collaborations, mark a significant step forward in agricultural innovation and cooperation.

Along with CM Yogi, Agriculture Minister Surya Pratap Shahi, Fisheries Minister Dr Sanjay Kumar Nishad, Minister of State for Agriculture Marketing and Food Processing (Independent Charge) Dinesh Pratap Singh, CIF Secretary Manoj Kumar Singh, senior CII officials, CEO of Invest UP Abhishek Prakash, ACEO and VC of LDA Prathamesh Kumar, including Netherlands Deputy Agriculture Minister Jan-Kees Goet, delegation in the presence of Netherlands Ambassador Marisa Gerards, Agriculture Production Commissioner Monica Garg, CII President and Chairman and Managing Director of ITC Limited Sanjeev Puri, and representatives from other countries were present in the program.

CM Yogi discusses digital agriculture in bilateral meeting

Before the inaugural session, CM Yogi, in a meeting with the delegation, highlighted Uttar Pradesh’s vast potential, noting its 25 crore population, fertile land, and abundant water resources. He acknowledged the strides made in agriculture, horticulture, dairy, and fisheries under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership but emphasized that significant opportunities remain. Collaborating with countries like the Netherlands, he said, will help propel these initiatives forward.

CM Yogi also pointed out that Uttar Pradesh, with support from the Center and the State, has six agricultural universities and Krishi Vigyan Kendras in every district, which play a crucial role in providing farmers with advanced seeds and technology.

He expressed optimism that these efforts could triple or quadruple production across agriculture, fisheries, horticulture, animal husbandry, and dairy sectors in Uttar Pradesh.

The Netherlands, with its expertise in affordable, sustainable technology, provides valuable insights. CM Yogi added that promoting natural farming alongside chemical-free pesticides will be key to sustainable progress in agriculture and horticulture.

Quotes…

For the first time, Agrotech is being organized in Lucknow. UP is the new powerhouse of agriculture. CM Yogi has shown a new direction to agriculture. There has been a lot of progress in the agricultural sector of India. Focus on modern technology is proving to be helpful in this direction. Excellent efforts have also been made in the direction of sustainability. India is producing 330 million tonnes today, up from 250 million tonnes, but there is still more potential for growth.

Sanjeev Puri
CII President and Chairman and Managing Director of ITC Limited

A great effort has been made in the form of Krishi Bharat 2024 to promote sustainable agriculture. Before Mahakumbh 2025, today under the guidance of CM Yogi, Mahakumbh of Agriculture and Technology is being organized, which will prove to be a milestone in increasing agricultural production in the state and the country and taking the state to the target of one trillion dollar economy.

Surya Pratap Shahi
Minister of Agriculture, Agricultural Education and Agricultural Research, Uttar Pradesh

The Netherlands is known for its agricultural ability and use of technology in the agricultural sector. All challenges can be dealt with through partnership and coordination between India and the Netherlands. India’s agriculture sector is full of achievements and immense possibilities, in which it is a matter of pride for us to participate. There are many challenges including climatic change all over the world which need solutions. Along with sharing our expertise, we are learning a lot from India’s experience.

Jan-Kees Goet
Deputy Agriculture Minister of Netherlands