UP's Resilient Agriculture Model Praised by World Bank Chief Ajay Banga as a Global Example for Small Farmers

World Bank Group President Ajay Banga has lauded Uttar Pradesh's integration of technology in agriculture. He described the state's resilient farming model as a global benchmark for small and marginal farmers. Banga shared these insights at the AgriConnect Flagship event during the 2025 Annual Meetings of the World Bank, highlighting his observations from a visit to the state in May.

The Uttar Pradesh government issued a statement quoting Banga's praise for the Yogi Adityanath administration. He commended their development of an agricultural ecosystem that inherently incorporates climate adaptability. This approach ensures resilience is embedded from the outset rather than being an afterthought.

Technology and Agriculture Integration

Banga emphasised that digital technology is crucial in this system. Simple AI tools and mobile phones assist farmers in diagnosing crop diseases, guiding fertiliser use, issuing weather alerts, and facilitating secure digital payments. These advancements are pivotal in supporting farmers' daily operations.

The World Bank chief highlighted several innovative practices in Uttar Pradesh's agriculture sector. These include using heat-tolerant seeds, soil-specific fertilisers, regenerative farming methods, efficient irrigation systems, and robust insurance and financing mechanisms. Such measures ensure that a single poor season does not ruin a farmer's livelihood.

Collaborative Efforts for Success

Banga noted that Uttar Pradesh's success relies on cooperation among governments, businesses, and development partners. This alignment is essential for creating a vibrant and scalable agricultural ecosystem. The state's model demonstrates how resilience, cooperatives, and digital tools can work together effectively.

The UP government has introduced a digital agriculture ecosystem framework to provide real-time information on weather, seeds, markets, and insurance. This initiative aims to support nearly one million small and marginal farmers directly by enhancing access to critical data.

Future Prospects and Global Impact

The World Bank and Uttar Pradesh have launched the UP AGREES UP Agriculture Growth and Rural Enterprise project. This initiative focuses on strengthening the state's agricultural systems through technology and finance. It represents a significant step towards sustainable agricultural development.

Banga remarked that Uttar Pradesh is emerging as a model of smart agricultural transformation. He urged the world to adopt similar integrative frameworks to ensure sustainable livelihoods for small farmers globally. His comments underscore the potential impact of such models on a broader scale.

Banga's speech was also shared by the World Bank on X, where he detailed his observations from Uttar Pradesh. The UP government echoed these sentiments in their statement, reinforcing the importance of this innovative approach to agriculture.

With inputs from PTI