LUCKNOW, 4 July 2025: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday inaugurated the three-day Mango Festival in Lucknow, where he urged farmers to explore cultivating a third crop annually to boost their incomes.
Speaking at the event, the Chief Minister highlighted the importance of diversifying into horticulture and high-value crops, emphasizing, “Progress in farming means progress for the state and the nation. When farmers become prosperous, the dream of a developed India becomes attainable.”
Adityanath cited examples from districts such as Auraiya, where farmers are successfully harvesting three crops a year — potatoes, maize, and paddy — thanks to modern agricultural techniques. “One farmer earned a profit of INR 1 lakh from a single acre of maize. That is the power of advanced agriculture,” he noted.
He acknowledged the regional disparities in agricultural development within Uttar Pradesh, observing that while western parts of the state had adopted modern farming practices, Bundelkhand and eastern regions lagged behind. However, this gap is narrowing due to major irrigation initiatives like the Arjun Sahayak and Saryu Canal schemes.
“Where there was once only one crop, farmers are now harvesting two or even three crops a year,” he said.
Encouraging farmers to integrate fruit cultivation, medicinal plants, and timber-yielding trees on their land with the support of the horticulture and forest departments, Adityanath underscored the role of industrial crops and value addition in significantly improving farm incomes.
He further called for the active involvement of the private sector in promoting commercial fruit orchards and forestry, and urged farmers to plan ahead for complementary crops such as turmeric, ginger, and other horticultural produce.
The Chief Minister expressed his gratitude to Horticulture Minister Dinesh Pratap Singh and department officials for organizing the Mango Festival, suggesting that similar events should be replicated across other major districts of the state.
“These platforms offer not only celebration but also opportunities for buyers, sellers, scientists, and farmers to share knowledge and experiences for mutual benefit,” he added.
Reflecting on the government’s plantation drive, Adityanath recalled how difficult it was in 2017 to secure even five crore saplings. “Now, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi launching the ‘One Tree in Mother’s Name’ campaign, Uttar Pradesh is ready to plant 50 crore saplings on July 9,” he proudly announced.
“That is a sign of the new Uttar Pradesh,” he concluded.
