- By Kamakshi Bishnoi
- Fri, 16 May 2025 02:21 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
In a major step toward agricultural self-reliance, the Uttar Pradesh cabinet, under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, has approved the establishment of five seed parks across the state. The move aims to reduce the state's dependence on other regions for seeds required for Rabi, Kharif, and Zaid crops and to promote local seed processing and production.
Agriculture Minister Surya Pratap Shahi, while briefing the media after Thursday’s cabinet meeting, announced that the first seed park will be set up in Attari, a government agricultural zone in Lucknow district, on 130.63 acres of land. The estimated cost of the project is Rs 266.70 crore.
Currently, Uttar Pradesh requires 70 lakh quintals of seeds annually but is able to produce only 40 lakh quintals. The seed parks are expected to bridge this gap, reduce seed prices through local availability, and increase farmers' incomes. The initiative is also projected to contribute significantly to the state’s goal of achieving a $1 trillion (Rs 76.5 lakh crore) economy, particularly through the agricultural sector.
The five seed parks will be strategically established in different agro-climatic zones: Western, Terai, Central, Bundelkhand, and Eastern. The first park in the Central Zone (Lucknow) will pave the way for subsequent ones.
To attract private participation, the government plans to offer land on lease to seed traders and institutions for setting up seed processing units, temperature-controlled storage, speed breeding facilities, hybrid labs, and other infrastructure. Leases will be granted for an initial period of 30 years, extendable up to 90 years.
Each seed park is expected to directly employ around 1,200 people and indirectly benefit another 3,000. Approximately 40,000 seed-producing farmers can associate with each park, bringing the total estimated employment across all five parks to 6,000 direct and 15,000 indirect jobs.
The initiative is poised to make Uttar Pradesh self-sufficient in quality seed production, open new markets for locally produced seeds, and significantly boost rural employment and agricultural productivity.
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