Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh) [India], October 7 (ANI): Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday stated at the two-day Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) Conclave (October 5-7) organised at the International Rice Research Institute (ISARC) to discuss the 150th anniversary of the Department of Agriculture, that Uttar Pradesh alone contributes 21 percent to the country's food grain production.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath chaired a historic session as the chief guest.

Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said, 'Over the past 11 years, the state's agricultural system has undergone extensive and revolutionary changes. Under the Prime Minister's leadership, facilities such as Soil Health Cards, insurance, and MSP are available, and 100 million farmers receive the Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana annually. Despite its limited area (11 per cent), Uttar Pradesh remains a leading state in agriculture, accounting for 21 per cent of national food production. IRI and IISARC have consistently supported this sector.'

He added, 'These institutes have consistently guided our scientists in developing climate-sensitive rice varieties and modern rice production technologies, promoting a sustainable and profitable agricultural system. Uttar Pradesh currently has four agricultural universities, and a new one is being added. Additionally, global research institutes affiliated with CGIAR, such as IRI and IISARC, are active in the state, playing a vital role in promoting agricultural innovation, sustainable farming, and food security.'

Highlighting the eternal wisdom embedded in India's agricultural traditions, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said, 'We must also actively focus on our rich traditional knowledge, which has been passed down through generations and recorded in ancient texts and travellers' accounts, so that we can strengthen both our agricultural heritage and modern innovations. Kalanamak, an iconic One District One Product (ODOP) variety of Uttar Pradesh, holds historical significance as it was offered to Lord Buddha as Mahaprasad. I commend the continuous efforts of ISARC in identifying and promoting such valuable local varieties as well as developing innovative value-added products from these traditional varieties.'

Highlighting Uttar Pradesh's agricultural progress and future vision, he said, 'Uttar Pradesh has immense potential due to favourable agro-environmental conditions. In the past eleven years, the state government's efforts have increased the production capacity of cereals, pulses, oilseeds, and vegetables fivefold. The state government is utilising the expertise of CGIAR centres, such as the International Potato Centre (IPC), through capacity building and knowledge management. I urge the IPC to expedite its work so that our potato farmers can reap the full benefits of advanced global technologies. Agriculture requires high-quality, climate-resilient seeds, and initiatives like the Seed Park in Lucknow play a vital role in ensuring this. By continuing this kind of support for farmers, Uttar Pradesh can achieve its goal of a trillion-dollar economy, with agriculture as a major contributor. We will continue to support CGIAR centres like IPC and IPC so that Uttar Pradesh sets an example for the world and becomes a global food supplier by 2030.'

The occasion also celebrated the 150th anniversary of the Uttar Pradesh Agriculture Department. A special session titled 'Dialogue to Make Uttar Pradesh a Global Food Supplier by 2030', as stated in the release.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was the chief guest at this session, and State Agriculture Minister Surya Pratap Shahi, Minister of State Ravindra Jaiswal, Minister of State (Independent Charge) Dayashankar Mishra 'Dayalu', and Minister of State for Agriculture Baldev Singh Aulakh were present as special guests. Yvonne Pinto, Director General of IRI, Simon Heck, Director General of CIP, Ajit Kumar Sahu, Joint Secretary (Seeds), Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India, Ravinder, Principal Secretary, Department of Agriculture, Uttar Pradesh, Sudhanshu Singh, Director of ISARC, and Virendra Kumar, Director of Research, IRI were present.

International partners included D.P. Wickramasinghe, Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Sri Lanka; Kong Kia, General Directorate of Agriculture, Maaf-Cambodia; and Nguyen Bhan Vo, former Director of the Vietnam Academy of Agricultural Sciences.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also honoured approximately 500 sanitation workers, known as 'Swachhata Mitras,' by showering them with flowers, at the 'Swachhata Mitra Samman Samaroh' held at Saroja Palace near Kabirchaura Piplani Katra on Monday.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath presented the sanitation workers, Neelam, Rani Devi, Rupa, Neelam, Malti, Priyanshu, Deepak Kumar, Shatrudra, Tinku, and Suraj Bharatiya, with Angavastram, safety kits, and sweets. The sanitation workers were overjoyed to be honoured by him.

Addressing the large gathering, which included sanitation workers, he stated that Lord Valmiki's birth anniversary, celebrated on October 7, has been declared a national holiday. He added that arrangements are being made to transfer between 16,000 and 20,000 rupees per month directly into the bank accounts of the sanitation workers. No one will be able to exploit sanitation workers in any way.

Addressing the sanitation workers, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath stated that his government is concerned about the sanitation workers who care for the health of everyone. All sanitation workers will also receive Ayushman cards, providing free medical treatment worth approximately 5 lakh ($500,000). (ANI)