“Uttar Pradesh introduces innovative agri-tech workshops to empower farmers with modern techniques, focusing on drone technology, AI, and sustainable practices. These initiatives aim to boost productivity, reduce costs, and enhance market access, aligning with the state’s vision for agricultural transformation.”
Uttar Pradesh Pioneers Agri-Tech Training for Farmers
In a transformative move for Indian agriculture, Uttar Pradesh has rolled out a series of agri-tech workshops aimed at equipping farmers with advanced tools and techniques. Launched in collaboration with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the Indian Chamber of Food and Agriculture (ICFA), these workshops are part of AgroTech 2025, a flagship event scheduled in Lucknow at the Indian Institute of Sugarcane Research. The initiative targets over 10,000 progressive farmers, extension workers, and rural functionaries across the state, offering hands-on training in cutting-edge technologies like drones, artificial intelligence (AI), and precision farming.
The workshops focus on practical applications of technology to address real-world farming challenges. For instance, training modules include the use of drones for crop monitoring, pesticide application, and yield estimation, aligning with the central government’s “Namo Drone Didi” scheme, which empowers women-led self-help groups to become licensed drone operators. Farmers are also introduced to AI-driven tools like the UP Open Network for Agriculture, a Gemini-powered platform launched in partnership with Google Cloud. This platform enables farmers to access advisory services, market linkages, and real-time data on soil health and weather conditions using voice commands in multiple languages.
Data from the Uttar Pradesh Agriculture Department highlights the state’s robust agricultural growth, with food grain production reaching 73.7 million tonnes in 2025. However, challenges like pest proliferation, climate risks, and limited access to modern tools persist, particularly for small and marginal farmers who constitute 80% of the state’s agricultural workforce. The workshops aim to bridge this gap by offering training on climate-resilient crop varieties, bio-fertilizers, and sustainable practices like low-emission rice farming, as promoted by recent collaborations between ICAR and state governments.
The state government is also leveraging AgriStack, a digital public infrastructure initiative, to provide farmers with unique Farmer IDs and geotagged Farm IDs for precise crop management. This is complemented by sessions on blockchain technology for supply chain transparency and e-commerce platforms like the National Agricultural Market (e-NAM), which help farmers bypass middlemen and sell directly to buyers, increasing profits by up to 20%, according to a 2023 Ernst & Young report.
Industry experts at AgroTech 2025, including senior officials from the Government of India and Uttar Pradesh, emphasize private investment in farm mechanization, horticulture, and biotechnology. The workshops also cover financial literacy, introducing farmers to apps like YONO Krishi by the State Bank of India, which offers tailored loans and advisory services. Over 2,000 farmers have already enrolled in the first phase, with plans to expand to remote districts by mid-2026.
The initiative has drawn praise for its inclusive approach, with dedicated sessions for women farmers and young agripreneurs. However, challenges remain, including the need for better rural digital infrastructure, as 75-80% of farmer households rely on smartphones but require physical support for app adoption, according to a McKinsey report. The state is addressing this through field teams and campaigns by agritech startups like Agrostar and DeHaat, which are also partnering in the workshops.
Disclaimer: This article is based on recent reports, government announcements, and industry insights from sources like ICAR, Invest India, McKinsey, and AgroTech 2025. Information is accurate as of September 2, 2025, and subject to change. Readers are advised to verify details through official channels.