Lucknow is set to become the focal point of a major policy dialogue on agriculture, farmers’ welfare, and sectoral reforms, as the Northern Region Conference convenes on April 24. The presence of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan is expected to lend national significance to the event. Union Ministers of State for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Bhagirath Choudhary and Ramnath Thakur will also be in attendance.
The program will begin with an inaugural address by Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, followed by an address by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. The event aims to connect agriculture with innovation, technology, and market opportunities. A press briefing by the Union Agriculture Minister will follow the inaugural session.
Day-long thematic discussions will focus on key government initiatives, including the Kisan Credit Card scheme, the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund, horticulture development, the Pulses Self-Sufficiency Mission, and the National Mission on Edible Oils-Oilseeds. The Farmer Registry under the Digital Agriculture Mission will also be a major agenda point.
Agriculture and Horticulture Ministers from states and Union Territories such as Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Delhi, Chandigarh, Jammu & Kashmir, and Ladakh will participate. The conference will also bring together progressive farmers, Krishi Vigyan Kendras, startups, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), agricultural scientists, NABARD officials, banking representatives, and food processing stakeholders, ensuring discussions remain grounded in field realities.
The Uttar Pradesh government is expected to showcase its flagship initiatives, including intercropping in sugarcane and direct seeding of paddy. Other northern states will present best practices to encourage cross-learning and coordinated agricultural reforms.
Key challenges such as the control of counterfeit agro-inputs, prevention of fertilizer black marketing, strengthening distribution systems, and promoting balanced fertilizer use will also be discussed. A presentation by Indian Council of Agricultural Research on integrated farming systems will highlight sustainable and diversified approaches for small and marginal farmers. The conference will conclude with remarks from state ministers, including Uttar Pradesh Agriculture Minister Surya Pratap Shahi.