Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, on Saturday, emphasized the unwavering commitment of the double-engine government to empower farmers, ensuring opportunities for progress in every circumstance.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the 55th Regional Fruit, Vegetable and Flower Exhibition-2024 at Raj Bhavan, he said that Uttar Pradesh despite constituting only 11 percent of India’s total cultivable land, contributes over 20 percent to the country’s overall food grain production.

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The Chief Minister inaugurated the exhibition with Governor Anandi Ben Patel. Expressing gratitude to the Governor for her steadfast commitment to hosting this event annually within the Raj Bhavan courtyard, CM Yogi underscored its significance in fostering agricultural advancement.

“Within UP, though farmers utilize only 10 percent of cultivable land for horticultural endeavors, they contribute a remarkable 24 percent to the total GDP of agriculture,” CM Yogi remarked. He stressed the pivotal role of horticultural farming alongside traditional methods in significantly augmenting farmers’ incomes.

In recognition of pioneering efforts, progressive farmers across Uttar Pradesh, championing innovations such as dragon fruit, strawberries, and advanced techniques like polyhouse farming, were felicitated at the ceremony.

Subsequently, the Governor and Chief Minister toured the exhibition, which spans three days from February 17 to 19. CM Yogi engaged with department officials and farmers, seeking insights into produce varieties, import-export dynamics, and agricultural trends. Together, they unveiled a commemorative souvenir marking the occasion.

CM Yogi lauded the Governor’s consistent support, highlighting her provision of the Raj Bhavan courtyard for the exhibition, which draws farmers and enthusiasts from across the state. He emphasized aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision to increase farmers’ incomes manifold and bolster rural economies, thereby combatting malnutrition and enhancing overall well-being through enriched nutrition from horticultural produce.

The event witnessed the felicitation of several progressive farmers, including Vishnudatt Pandey from Rae Bareli, Ayush Aggarwal from Pilibhit, and Usha Upadhyay from Saharanpur, among others, by Governor Anandi Ben Patel and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.