On Wednesday, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced a number of agricultural initiatives for the state, including an Agri mall in Lucknow where farmers will be able to sell fruits, vegetables, and grains directly at the mall, which is planned for Gomtinagar's Vikalp Khand, labs at all divisional headquarters to test natural and organic items, and a tissue cultural laboratory in Ayodhya.
Yogi Adityanath made the announcement at the 166th meeting of the State Agricultural Produce Market Council's Board of Directors.
"Good quality fruits, vegetables, and food grains will be available to consumers," the chief minister said, emphasising the importance of establishing facilities for farmers to rest. He said that "about 8,000 square metres of land available at Vikalp Khand in Gomtinagar would be appropriate for setting up a seven-storey modern agro mall".
"There should be proper parking arrangements for farmers and buyers at the mall," Adityanath said. On agricultural scientific development, he stated that encouraging results are being seen in the use of tissue culture techniques in agriculture. To encourage this technique in the state, a tissue culture laboratory should be established to promote banana cultivation in Ayodhya.
In this regard, a detailed proposal should be prepared and presented," Adityanath said, according to the statement. Adityanath also directed officials to amend the Mandi Rules in order to obtain a licence for e-auction of agricultural produce on digital platforms. According to him, private sector participation will provide farmers with new options and may increase the Mandi Parishad's income.
According to the statement, the Mandi Parishad earned more than Rs 972 crore in the current fiscal year, which runs from April to November. The chief minister stated that the revenue collection target for this fiscal year should be Rs 1,500 crore. Employees of the Mandi Parishad should be able to receive treatment in both private and public hospitals, as well as payment at government rates based on the current medical reimbursement system, according to CM.
The state government is making efforts to encourage natural farming, he said, adding that "testing laboratories should be set up at all divisional headquarters for verification of organic and natural products according to international standards". The chief minister stated that testing laboratories should be established at Krishi Vigyan Kendras in stages.
