Lucknow: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has said that the most effective way to give Uttar Pradesh a major boost in the agricultural sector is to implement large-scale intercropping of oilseeds and pulses with sugarcane. He stated that this model has the potential not just to double, but to multiply farmers’ income manifold.
The Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was chairing a high-level meeting on the subject on Monday. He said that intercropping sugarcane with high-value crops such as mustard, lentil (masoor), urad, and moong can provide farmers with additional production at low cost and ensure stable year-round income, thereby strengthening their economic condition.
No Scope for Horizontal Expansion of Farmland
CM Yogi Adityanath said that horizontal expansion of cultivable land in the state is no longer possible. Therefore, achieving the goal of a trillion-dollar economy requires increasing productivity per unit area. He described sugarcane-based intercropping as a new model for the future of agriculture in Uttar Pradesh, offering farmers higher production, increased earnings, and protection against risks.
The Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath directed that this intercropping initiative be implemented in mission mode from 2026–27 to 2030–31. At present, sugarcane is cultivated across 29.50 lakh hectares in the state, including 14.64 lakh hectares of newly sown area and 14.86 lakh hectares of ratoon crop
He said that introducing oilseeds and pulses as intercrops across such a vast area would significantly boost production and further strengthen both the state’s and the country’s self-reliance in oilseed and pulse crops. He instructed that the selection of intercrops should be carried out on scientific and practical grounds through Krishi Vigyan Kendras and agricultural universities.
Priority for Moong Suggested : Yogi Adityanath
Following the recommendations of the Indian Institute of Sugarcane Research (IISR), CM Yogi suggested giving priority to mustard and masoor during the rabi season, and urad and moong during the zaid season. He said the greatest strength of this model lies in providing additional crops, extra income, and enhanced security without affecting sugarcane productivity.
The Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also directed officials to prepare a year-wise roadmap for the scheme. He said the additional output would directly increase farmers’ income and make a substantial contribution to the state’s Gross Value Added (GVA). He stressed that a clear framework for assistance and subsidies is essential for the successful implementation of the plan.
CM Yogi Adityanath further noted that large-scale adoption of intercropping would ensure faster cash flow for farmers and reduce the risks associated with single-crop farming, making agriculture more stable and sustainable. He emphasized that the scheme should not remain limited to sugarcane farmers alone but should be implemented as a transformative initiative for the broader agricultural landscape of Uttar Pradesh.