Uttar Pradesh's agricultural sector is experiencing a significant transformation, marked by record outputs and increased farm incomes, particularly in wheat and milk production. This progress is attributed to government initiatives focused on enhancing productivity, supporting farmers, and promoting diversified farming practices.
Wheat Production: Uttar Pradesh has maintained its position as the leading wheat-producing state in India. In 2024-25, the state's wheat production reached 414.39 lakh metric tons, contributing 35.3% to the national wheat output. Over the period from 2016-17 to 2024-25, wheat productivity in Uttar Pradesh saw a growth of 42.8%, a notable increase from the 8.7% average growth between 2001-02 and 2016-17. To support wheat farmers, the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for the 2025-26 Rabi season was set at ₹2,425 per quintal. By May 8, 2025, over 926,000 metric tons of wheat had been procured from more than 173,000 farmers. The state government has also facilitated wheat procurement by establishing purchase centers and, for the first time, purchasing directly from farmers in villages through mobile procurement centers.
Milk Production: Uttar Pradesh also leads in milk production, contributing 16.21% of India's total milk output. In 2023-24, the state's total milk production was 239.3 lakh liters, with per capita milk availability rising to 471 ml in 2024. To further boost the dairy sector, the government is attracting investments through tax exemptions, financial grants, and business-friendly policies. Recent GST changes have made UHT milk and packaged paneer GST-free, while rates on butter, ghee, cheese, and ice cream have been reduced to 5%. The state government aims to triple milk production, create over one crore rural jobs, and establish Uttar Pradesh as a major global dairy exporter by 2047.
Additional Government Initiatives: The Uttar Pradesh government has launched several initiatives to support farmers and modernize the agricultural sector. The Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan, launched in 2025, facilitated direct dialogue between policymakers, scientists, and farmers, reaching 23.30 lakh farmers across 14,170 villages. Loans from the Land Development Bank (LDB) are now available at a reduced interest rate of 6%, a significant decrease from the previous 11.5%. Sugarcane farmers have also benefited from a ₹30 per quintal price increase for the 2025-26 season. Furthermore, under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-Kisan) scheme, Uttar Pradesh farmers received ₹94,668.58 crore in direct benefits during 2025-26.
Diversification and Modernization: Farmers in Uttar Pradesh are also diversifying into other crops and adopting modern farming techniques to increase their incomes. For example, in Prayagraj, farmers are shifting to exotic vegetables like lettuce, zucchini, and parsley, which are supplied to hotels and retail outlets across the state. The state government is promoting agricultural innovation through subsidies for polyhouses and nethouses under the Integrated Horticulture Development Mission. Additionally, seed parks and training centers are being developed to strengthen agricultural research and seed production. A Basmati production and training center is being established in Pilibhit to promote export-oriented agriculture.
Overall Impact: Uttar Pradesh's agriculture sector has experienced a significant turnaround, with the agriculture growth rate surging to 17.7% in 2024-25 from 8.6% in 2016-17. This growth has led to increased farmer incomes, strengthened food security, and a growing contribution to national agricultural production. The state government's commitment to supporting farmers, promoting modern farming techniques, and diversifying agricultural practices is expected to further drive growth and improve the livelihoods of farmers in Uttar Pradesh.
