Context:
On May 9, 2025, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath hosted World Bank President Ajay Banga in Lucknow to inaugurate two major initiatives: ‘UP AGREES’ and ‘AI Pragya’. These programs aim to drive agricultural innovation and digital empowerment across the state, particularly in its underdeveloped regions. Backed by the World Bank, the initiatives are pivotal steps in Uttar Pradesh’s broader ambition to become a $1 trillion economy.
About UP AGREES:
The UP AGREES (Uttar Pradesh Accelerated Growth through Rural, Economic, and Environmental Sustainability) initiative is a large-scale agricultural modernization program targeted at 28 districts across the Bundelkhand and Purvanchal regions.
- These areas have historically suffered from low agricultural productivity, fragmented farming practices, and environmental stress.
- The program seeks to address these challenges through the introduction of advanced, technology-enabled agricultural practices.
- The initiative will focus on enhancing crop yields, promoting sustainable farming techniques, and integrating digital tools into the agricultural value chain. Through better irrigation systems, precision farming, and farmer training, UP AGREES aims to improve food security and farmer incomes.
- The selected districts include Banda, Lalitpur, Jalaun, Jhansi, Hamirpur, Mahoba, Chitrakoot (Bundelkhand), and Basti, Maharajganj, Ballia, Ghazipur, Varanasi, Chandauli, Mirzapur, Sonbhadra, Sant Ravidas Nagar, Sant Kabir Nagar, Kushinagar, Shravasti, Bahraich, Balrampur, Gonda, Siddharthnagar, Gorakhpur, Deoria, Azamgarh, Mau, and Jaunpur (Purvanchal).
About AI Pragya:
The ‘AI Pragya’ initiative is envisioned as a comprehensive digital upskilling program aimed at preparing Uttar Pradesh’s youth for emerging technology sectors. However, AI Pragya is not limited to the tech industry
- With a target of training 10 lakh (1 million) young individuals across the state, the initiative will build a foundational Artificial Intelligence (AI) talent pool capable of supporting innovation and public service transformation.
- The program is designed to elevate efficiency and service delivery in critical sectors such as governance, agriculture, education, and healthcare.
- By equipping youth with practical, in-demand digital skills, AI Pragya seeks to position Uttar Pradesh as a leader in AI adoption and digital workforce development.
Conclusion:
The partnership with the World Bank represents a continuation of international support for the state’s development agenda. World Bank has an instrumental role in facilitating transformative projects. Uttar Pradesh is now perceived not as an impediment but as India’s emerging growth engine, highlighting the global recognition of the state’s economic potential. By bridging traditional sectors with cutting-edge technology, Uttar Pradesh is laying the foundation for sustainable growth and long-term socio-economic resilience.
