Beyond subsistence farming, Uttar Pradesh is transforming its agricultural environment into a center for exports, jobs, and revenue creation. The goal of the state government’s ambitious plan to build 1,000 food processing facilities in each district is to boost agribusiness and provide a significant number of job opportunities.

An Indo-Dutch Centre of Excellence will be established at Trivediganj, Barabanki, in conjunction with the Netherlands, marking a major international partnership. In order to make horticulture more scientific and compliant with worldwide export standards, this institute will concentrate on research and teaching in cutting-edge flower and vegetable growth methods.

A contemporary export center is also being developed close to Jewar Airport to serve the expanding demand for exports. This hub would provide direct access to high-end international markets, including the US and Europe. In the Nadarganj Industrial Area of Lucknow, a Gamma Radiation Plant has also been set up to treat fruits and vegetables, preventing infections and increasing their shelf life.

Beyond conventional approaches, the state is increasingly encouraging scientific, labor-intensive, and high-return agricultural practices. This change has greatly increased agricultural revenues and decreased hidden unemployment. Sanjiv Puri, president of CII, claims that growing fruits and vegetables generates two to 2.5 times as much revenue as conventional crops and generates a significant number of jobs in rural areas.

Under the Pradhan Mantri Khadya Unnayan Yojana, more than 17,000 food processing facilities have already been established, providing loans of up to Rs 30 lakh and subsidies of up to 35%. Up to 90% of the cost of installing solar plants in these apartments is subsidized for female entrepreneurs. These establishments generate employment in a variety of fields, such as logistics, grading, plucking, plantations, nurseries, and packing.

The demand for fresh vegetables has increased as a result of post-Covid health consciousness. According to an SBI research, within the last ten years, the state’s per capita intake of fruits and vegetables has grown from 7 kg to 12 kg annually. In terms of fruit and vegetable production and consumption, Uttar Pradesh now leads the nation.