Context:
Chief Minister, alongside World Bank President, inaugurated the ‘UP AGREES’ (Uttar Pradesh Agriculture Growth and Rural Enterprise Ecosystem Strengthening) and ‘AI Pragya’ initiatives in Lucknow.
More on news:
- Under the UP AGREES project the state will receive a ₹2,737 crore loan from the World Bank over a six-year period.
- The UP AGREES initiative aimed at transforming agriculture in 28 districts of Bundelkhand and Purvanchal.
- The initiative focuses on boosting productivity and promoting advanced, technology-driven farming methods.
- The initiative is expected to directly benefit farmers, farmer organizations, fishers, and agriculture-based micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
- The state government will contribute ₹1,166 crore to the project, while the World Bank loan will be repaid over 35 years at a low interest rate of just 1.23%.
- The programme will support farmers and significantly boost agricultural productivity across the state.
- The project will engage 10,000 women producer groups and send 500 farmers abroad to learn advanced farming techniques, aiming to empower small farmers and reduce regional disparities.
- Under the ‘AI Pragya’ initiative the state government aims to train 1 million youth in artificial intelligence and other emerging digital technologies.
- The programme will offer certifications in areas such as AI, machine learning, data analytics, and cybersecurity, fostering greater employment opportunities and supporting the growth of a vibrant startup ecosystem in the state.
- The initiative will be carried out in collaboration with several state departments, including Education, Health, Agriculture, Rural Development, Revenue, and Secretariat Administration.
- It will create new employment opportunities for youth while also boosting technological efficiency across key sectors like government services, agriculture, education, and healthcare.
- As part of the programme, global technology leaders such as Microsoft, Intel, HCL, Wadhwani Foundation, Amazon, Google, and 1M1B will partner with the state government to roll out upskilling initiatives statewide.