Uttar Pradesh Revolutionizes Farm Credit with 5-Minute Digital Approvals
In a landmark address at the State Credit Seminar 2026-27, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath heralded a new era of digital governance that has dramatically transformed the agricultural loan landscape. The CM revealed that the implementation of the e-Kisan Credit Card (e-KCC) system has enabled farmers to access credit within a mere 5 minutes, a stark contrast to the previous waiting period of 25 days to a month.
Ambitious Credit Targets and Technological Integration
During the seminar, which also saw the release of the State Focus Paper, Yogi Adityanath announced an ambitious agricultural credit target of Rs 3 lakh crore for the fiscal year 2026-27. This represents a substantial 13% increase over the previous year's target, underscoring the state's commitment to bolstering the farm sector.
Elaborating on the technological advancements, the CM highlighted that Uttar Pradesh is actively exploring the integration of Artificial Intelligence in agriculture. He noted that the state is aligning with the Union Budget's announcement of an AI Agriculture Platform, positioning UP at the forefront of agri-tech innovation. "UP is already working in that direction," he affirmed.
Celebrating Success Stories and Cooperative Sector Revival
The event also served as a platform to recognize and felicitate several Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs). Yogi Adityanath praised innovative agricultural models showcased at the seminar, including a mustard production company in Mathura operated by 750 women. "By linking production with processing, they increased profits. This is a lesson for the entire state, and the government will extend full support to such initiatives," he stated.
Reflecting on the transformation of the cooperative sector, the CM recalled the pre-2017 era when mafia dominance led the Reserve Bank of India to declare 16 district cooperative banks as defaulters. "Now, 15 of those banks have turned profitable, and efforts are underway to revive the remaining one," he reported, adding that UP is the first state in India to collaborate with the World Bank in the agri-tech domain.
Economic Growth and Sectoral Revitalization
Yogi Adityanath outlined several key economic achievements and priorities:
- MSME Revival: The MSME sector, which had collapsed and triggered large-scale migration, was revitalized through the One District One Product initiative. UP became the first state to provide security insurance of Rs 5 lakh to MSME units.
- Financial Metrics: The state's credit-deposit ratio surged from 43% to 61% over the past nine years, with a target of 65% set for 2026-27. Per capita income skyrocketed from Rs 43,000 in 2016 to Rs 1.20 lakh, while the fiscal deficit remains below 3%, with no new taxes imposed for several years.
- Agricultural Output: Agricultural growth accelerated from 8% to over 18%. Despite having only 11% of India's cultivable land, UP contributes 21% of the nation's total foodgrain production.
Infrastructure and Empowerment Initiatives
The CM detailed robust steps to empower small and marginal farmers, noting that UP is the first state in the country—and potentially the world—with 86% irrigated land. Key support measures include:
- Providing free electricity to 16 lakh tube wells.
- Offering free canal irrigation.
- Distributing solar panels to 1 lakh farmers.
Call to Action for Sustainable Development
Yogi Adityanath emphasized that "making policies alone is not enough; their impact must be visible on the ground." He urged banks, NABARD, and financial institutions to combine training with credit to accelerate employment, income generation, and self-reliance. Agriculture, MSMEs, women empowerment, and youth entrepreneurship remain the government's top priorities, as UP continues to set benchmarks in sound financial management and inclusive growth.
