An official statement said that on Saturday, the Uttar Pradesh cabinet approved a plan to promote millet production, processing and consumption in the state. According to the statement, the cabinet approved the “Uttar Pradesh Millet Revival Program” (UPMRP).
The statement asserted that the state government will pay $Rs 186.26 crore for the operation of the UPMRP from 2022–23 (1 January 2023) to 2026–27.
The 75 districts of the state will participate in the implementation of this initiative. Farmers will receive a free millet seed mini-kit every year for four years, starting in 2023-2024, according to the announcement.
Farmers will receive a free millet seed mini-kit every year for four years, starting in 2023-2024, according to the announcement. The armers will be chosen from among those who have registered on the agriculture department website or who are beneficiaries of Kisan Samman Nidhi.
According to the release, 25% of the beneficiaries will be SC/ST farmers, with women farmers receiving special consideration.
Processing, packing and marketing facilities for millet products will be built, and mobile outlets/shops will also be promoted.
The proposal to announce the Uttar Pradesh Food Processing Industry Policy-2022 was also accepted by the UP cabinet.
According to the statement, the decision was made to implement the policy in the hope of growing the food processing industry, attracting investment, generating employment opportunities and increasing stakeholder income.
According to the announcement, the Horticulture and Food Processing Directorate has been designated as the nodal agency and the Horticulture and Food Processing Department has been designated as the nodal department.
The state cabinet also approved the promulgation of the excise policy for 2023-2024.
According to the statement, the excise policy for the years 2023-2024 is issued with the goal of generating the most revenue to adequately fund significant government projects and provide stability to the alcohol industry while making the policy attractive.
To start a medical college in Chitrakoot district using a PPP model, the cabinet also approved the free transfer of 8,345 hectares of land to the department of medical education.