Overview of Unnat Krishi Yojana
India’s agricultural landscape received a decisive boost with the launch of Unnat Krishi Yojana, a flagship program of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. Designed to lift the productivity of high‑value cash crops, the scheme places sugarcane at its core, aiming to double farmer incomes while promoting sustainable cultivation practices. Recent Ministry reports indicate that the initiative has already organized more than 500 training sessions across the sugarcane‑producing states of Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu, reaching an estimated 120,000 farmers by the end of FY 2024‑25.
Historical background and policy alignment
The conceptual foundation of Unnat Krishi Yojana traces back to the National Agricultural Policy 2000, which emphasized technology diffusion as a catalyst for agricultural growth. Formal approval came in the Union Budget 2023‑24, with an outlay of INR 2,500 crore earmarked for the first five years. The scheme dovetails with existing farmer‑centric programmes such as the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM‑Kisan) and the Soil Health Card Scheme, ensuring that financial assistance reaches growers at each stage—from seed selection to market linkage.
Two‑day intensive workshop
In early October 2025, a two‑day intensive workshop was convened in the heart of Uttar Pradesh’s sugarcane belt, drawing over 1,200 participants, including progressive farmers, state extension officers, and agronomists from the State Agricultural University and the National Project on Sugarcane Development. The agenda blended classroom lectures with field demonstrations, covering critical topics such as soil health management, integrated pest management (IPM), water‑use efficiency, and post‑harvest handling. A standout feature was the live demonstration of drone‑based field scouting, coupled with hands‑on training on mobile advisory apps that deliver real‑time agronomic guidance. 
Hands‑on training modules & practical applications
Participants engaged in a series of hands‑on modules designed to translate theory into practice:
- Calibrated seed drills were used to plant high‑yield varieties, achieving a seed‑to‑seed spacing accuracy of ±2 cm.
- Micro‑irrigation systems, including drip and sprinkler setups, reduced water consumption by up to 30 % while maintaining optimal soil moisture.
- Soil testing kits enabled rapid nutrient assessment, guiding precise fertilizer application based on laboratory‑derived recommendations.
- Bio‑fertilizers such as Rhizobium and Azotobacter were introduced to enhance soil organic matter and improve cane vigor.
- Contract farming models were explained, showing how pre‑harvest agreements can secure remunerative prices and reduce market volatility.
These activities were accompanied by expert talks on timely nutrient application, emphasizing the importance of aligning fertilizer schedules with the cane’s growth stages to maximize sucrose accumulation.
Impact on farmer income and community development
Early impact assessments released by the Ministry of Agriculture reveal that farmers who completed the workshop have observed an average yield increase of 12 % in the subsequent cropping season. Moreover, many reported a reduction in input costs—up to 15 %—thanks to optimized irrigation and fertilizer use. Case studies from districts such as Muzaffarnagar and Saharanpur illustrate a ripple effect extending beyond the fields: families reinvested additional earnings into education, health services, and land‑improvement projects, thereby elevating overall community wellbeing. The enhanced sugar content of harvested cane, now averaging 14.5 % Brix compared to 12.8 % pre‑training, has also opened avenues for premium pricing in the domestic and export markets.
Government perspective, scalability and future outlook
The Ministry of Agriculture has announced a strategic roadmap to scale Unnat Krishi Yojana through integration with the Kisan Suvidha digital platform, which provides weather alerts, market price feeds, and expert advice at the click of a button. Plans are underway to certify a cadre of master trainers who can replicate the two‑day model in remote blocks across the country, ensuring that best practices disseminate beyond the initial pilot sites. Annual evaluation frameworks will track adoption rates, yield trends, and socio‑economic outcomes, enabling data‑driven refinements.
Looking ahead, the scheme aspires to create a holistic ecosystem where innovation, extension, and market access converge to empower sugarcane growers. Continuous feedback loops between researchers, extension agents, and farmers are expected to drive crop‑improvement programmes that address emerging challenges such as climate variability, pest outbreaks, and labor shortages. By fostering a culture of knowledge sharing and technology adoption, Unnat Krishi Yojana aims to position India’s sugarcane sector as a benchmark for sustainable agricultural development on the global stage.
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